There Are Secrets...Focus
Several years ago I was at a coaching symposium and learned a phenomenally valuable lesson that I’d like to share with all of you from my friend and colleague, USA Wrestling’s resident Psychology Coach; the late, great Beasey Hendrix, author of “Wrestle To Win”, “Wrestle Your Perfect Match”, and “Sports Psychs: Yes I Can”. As he was sharing his wisdom to a group of hungry participants, the following question was posed by one of the greatest wrestling coaches in the world. He asked, “How do I train my athletes to focus?”
Beasey’s response still resonates with me today. He simply said, “You don’t; they are always focused on something. The question is what are they focused on?”
I have had some deep conversations with friends and colleagues alike and it seems that what looks to be so straightforward and simple is really one of the greatest success secrets to extraordinary achievement ever. Look at its essence described by these masters of success:
Definiteness of purpose – Napoleon Hill, “Think and Grow Rich”
Begin with the end in mind – Stephen Covey, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”
You become what you think about most of the time – Earl Nightingale, “The Strangest Secret”
Man without vision shall perish – Proverbs 29:18, The Bible
The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors, that which it loves, and also that which it fears. – James Allen, “As a Man Thinketh”
It has been my experience in most of the conversations that I have had recently regarding this, is that the challenges my friends and colleagues were expressing was a direct reflection of where their focus was. Though presented with incredible opportunity, the manifestation of their dreams, or solutions to their most perplexing problems; they could not fully grasp these benefits due to their focus being on what they had to give up for the opportunity, the price that was to be paid for their dreams, and all of the reasons why their problem didn’t have a solution?
You may be reading this asking, “Why would they be focusing on what they didn’t want.” My answer is as simple as Beasey’s response; “I believe they don’t know that that’s why they’re getting it…that’s where their focus is.” The key is focusing on what you DO WANT rather than what you DON’T WANT.
I’ve had the distinct pleasure and honor to know and learn from some of the most measurably successful people on the planet. Billionaires, Olympic and World Champions, Artists, Celebrities (real ones), Politicians, Business Titans, and Clergy; and I can tell you from firsthand experience that one thing they ALL had in common was that they focused on what they wanted and that’s why they got it…in spades!
They saw the ‘why’ to an opportunity when everyone else saw the ‘why not’.
They ‘believed’ the manifestation of their dreams before it ever physically occurred while everyone else ‘hoped’ it would all work out.
They were confronted with the same problems (often times bigger) as their contemporaries, however they only focused on the solution.
Despite their obstacles, they were willing to do whatever it took to accomplish their defined outcome.
You may be thinking, “It almost sounds too simple. It can’t really be that easy. What’s the catch?” If you are asking yourself these questions, I really want you to open up your heart and mind and get this.
Shift your focus and you will shift your outcome...every time.
If you are not getting what you want in life and all you can think about is ‘why not’; how about doing something different for a change and focusing on what you’ll get in your opportunity, the realization of your dreams or finding the solutions to your challenges. What the heck, the only thing you have to lose is…everything you’ve ever wanted.
Believe…
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