In this digital age, it’s easy to lose focus on the important things. There is an ever increasing plethora of attention grabbing apps, websites, channels and ways to communicate.
Yet in a world where information acquisition is easier than ever, we often allow our attention to be drawn away from that which is important, to that which is immediate and/or immaterial.
I have come to realize that our attention is usually focused in one of 3 spheres. The first is the ‘sphere of concern’. This sphere contains things which draw our attention, but over which we have very little input, and thus can effect very little change in our lives.
The second is the sphere of influence, where we can focus our attention, backed up with action, to make a difference, though not necessarily have a defining input to change the outcome of a situation.
Finally there is our sphere of control, where our ability to apply attention and action can have massive changes in our lives, as we control the outcome of a situation or an event.
I find that I often allow my attention to drift into my sphere of concern, because this is usually something that requires no action from me. In this way I can feel good about being concerned about something or someone, but have very little responsibility for doing anything.
But when I focus on my sphere of control, I can make significant changes to my life in a short space of time, but it requires me to take action and actually do something.
It’s so much easier to focus my attention on things that do not present risk or require work.
But this produces no results. Focusing on my sphere of control helps me to take action in my life, and achieve and become more.
It’s all a matter of attention.
Where will you focus your attention today?
-- Dr. Alan Barnes
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