January 1, 2024, begins a new year filled with challenges and unlimited opportunities.
How we overcome obstacles and achieve success may simply be in how we utilize Focus, Simplicity, and Basics. Too many choices and distractions are overwhelming. We must declutter our minds and determine what is most important. Turn off the noise, the distractions. Get your mind clear so you can focus on what is important.
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” -Bruce Lee
The winners in life and business are the people laser focused on doing what is most important. They have learned how to make the complex simple. It isn’t easy to get focused and simplify, but it is possible. You can! All it takes is the desire and effort.
“That’s been one of my mantras–focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: you have to work hard to get your thinking clear to make it simple. But it is worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” -Steve Jobs
Once we have clarity on what is most important, we can simplify any problem we are facing in life. Successful people make the complicated simple. As my friend Don Sartell said, “Simplicity is power.”
Begin with learning and mastering the basics. They are the foundation and building blocks of any endeavor. In athletics and business, the ‘greats’ focused, excelled, and were better at the basics than anyone else. The same is true in our family life, spiritual life, and emotional life. Success depends on a firm foundation and building blocks.
Unfortunately, in our fast- paced lives, the basics are often rushed over, if not eliminated. There is no shortcut. In whatever you wish to excel, keep honing and improving the basics. They are the foundation and the building blocks of your one story or skyscraper.
Once you perfect the basics, you will have the foundation and building blocks necessary to create and innovate whatever you’d like. Never quit honing and improving the basics and key ingredients. Be consistent in taking one step at a time. Keep focused on what is most important to you and your advancement.
Making things too complicated scatters our efforts, making them weakened and less effective. Alexander Graham Bell said, “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
How many of us show up and dabble, do what comes up, and follow the busy work? If we conserved our time and energy to focus on doing what is most important with excellence and consistency every day, we would be more effective, fulfilled, and successful.
What is most important to you in the New Year? You can get it if you want it enough and work enough. Eliminate distractions, nay-sayers, bad habits, negative mind-talk and master the basics of your endeavor so you can create and innovate. You are capable and responsible for growing, achieving, and sustaining what is most important to you.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and Many Blessings!!