FOCUS

Focus has definitely been on my mind lately....I've been paying more attention, focused attention day to day and I gotta tell you; it sure beats multitasking! I'm starting to really pay attention to when I'm focused and productive in the traditional sense, and when I'm more philosophical and "in my head", not thinking about goals, but questioning and pondering life. It's what I call "thinking broadly".

I think it's natural for ones mind to flow back and forth over the course of a day or a week or a year, but for a long time I think I beat myself up about being in one mental mode and telling myself I really SHOULD be in the other...for example, spending a Monday morning flipping through a trade publication and thinking about different ways I could be running my business when an inner critic is telling me I SHOULD be doing something more "focused" in the studio.

And sure, there are times I'm under a deadline and can "force" my way into either of the way of thinking that I need to be in, but understanding that on regular days, it's not only okay, but it's GOOD to plan the day around what way I'm naturally thinking. I mean, I have lots tasks, like we all do, and it isn't always easy to prioritize...it depends on if I'm thinking broadly or feeling like focusing in on one task.

Lately I've really felt a pull for creativity--due to the fact that I've been spending MOST of my thought time on the business side of business. It's time for some of my extra thought energy to be swung back over to creating. I remember a few years ago being swung the other way; overflowing with creativity but feeling guilty for not feeling like focusing in on zeros and ones. It's like the girl with curly hair who wants straight hair, and visa versa! So I feel pretty good now because instead of judging myself, I'm shutting up and listening instead...lol...pouring myself fully over to whichever end of the "FOCUS" spectrum is beckoning me.

So this is an invitation for you to take a look at how YOU uniquely function...I'd almost venture to say that lots of disagreements people have can be rooted in differing modes of thought...one parent doesn't want to camp on a certain weekend because there's a game on TV (focused thought), the other parent insists because the kids are only young once and it's the least disruptive weekend to be out of town for the family routine (the broad view). Or, you're strolling through every aisle of the superstore...getting idea after idea for your next big project or party (broad) when your cell phone rings and you are asked why you aren't home with the cough syrup yet (focused)!!