The Power of Focus

Every day we’re faced with endless distractions. Phone calls, emails, kids needing attention, bills to pay, a job to do. The ability to focus has become a rare and valuable skill. We live in a society that glorifies multi-tasking…I’m often doing 5 things at once (if not more) in my current position. When we’re doing so many things at once, it becomes easy to overlook the impact that being focused can have on our lives – both personally and professionally.

Over the course of the pandemic, while the world was home learning how to make exotic dishes and gaining twenty pounds, I focused on my diet and exercise and lost 80 pounds. Without going to the gym or hiring a trainer, or buying expensive food plans.

In 2022, I lost a job unexpectedly. I was in a new city with no contacts. Within two weeks, I had four offers. I am someone that supports myself, so being without a job is not an option. In my entire career, I have never been without a job one day more than I needed to or could afford to be.

In 2023, I find myself under a mountain of debt from a variety of unfortunate circumstances. I have not had debt (except for my mortgage) for many years. My credit cards were always paid in full upon receipt – no matter how much I shopped the month before 😊. Now, as Bruce Springsteen would put it…” I got debts no honest man could pay.” Two and a half months ago, I decided to focus on my finances. Laser focus. First, the dirty task of knowing what that number is (like getting on the scale when you’re about to start a diet!) It’s ugly and makes you want to cry. But then you wipe your tears and get to work.

Two and a half months later, with absolutely NO INCREASE in income, I have paid off four credit cards. A fifth will be paid off this month. They weren’t the largest cards – I still have a very long way to go, but they all had hefty balances. Laser focus meant scrutinizing every single cent that went out of my accounts. A lot of evaluating needs vs wants. Do I need a $7 Starbucks (no!) Do I need a can of tuna (yes!). After a while it was more satisfying to pay off a card than to buy the new shoes (okay not 100%, but close!) When I look back on the total balance of what I have paid off, I can’t make it make sense mathematically…but I know I did it. I can’t say when this debt will be paid off, but I can say with certainty that it WILL be paid off – something that I didn’t think was possible in February.

The power of focus is undeniable. When you apply laser focus towards achieving whatever goal you set for yourself, you increase your chances of success exponentially and you are paving the way for unimaginable accomplishments.

What will you focus on this week?

#focus #theboss #creditcards #gohappyyourself