Capitalogix

Here is a Simple Test of Attention and Focus I Bet You'll Fail

In my experience, managing attention is harder than it seems.

Let's start with something easy ...  Do nothing for 2 minutes. 

Here is a link to a website that will let you try to do that.

 

Focus can be pretty fragile if it isn't a conscious choice.

OK, Let's Try Something a Little More Challenging.

Controlling your body by doing nothing is one thing; but, controlling your mind is something else altogether.

To get a sense about this, here is a seemingly easy challenge ... simply listen to a favorite song.

The challenge is how you can truly do that without losing focus and having other thoughts intrude (for example, without thinking about your to-do list or other songs that you like, or who you're going to meet with later in the day, etc.)?  For me, the answer was not that long.

Sometimes it feels like modern life causes attention deficit disorder.

Attention Deficit Can Be Dangerous If You Aren't Aware of It.

Yet, losing focus while trading, in business, or even during a simple conversation - can have serious consequences.

When you are not aware of your focus, I bet it wanders.  Mine does; I get distracted easily. 

It didn't take long for me to realize that this happened to me while talking to my wife, while listening to a telephone call, even when ordering food at a restaurant. How can I lose focus on the waitress while I was ordering? Apparently, quite easily.

How about you?  When you're listening to someone talk to you, are you really listening to them - or are you checking e-mail, texting, browsing a website, watching TV, playing a game, or thinking about what you're going to say? 

Be honest with yourself; how often are you fully present?  For me, the answer was not nearly enough.

Practice Mind Control.

Try listening to one song with your full attention and focus. 

Now, imagine how different a conversation with someone important to you would be if you were consciously aware of your intent for them to experience being heard the whole time they were speaking to you.

Maybe it is easier to recognize how different it is for you when someone is truly present and focused on you when you talk with them?

If you want to explore more activities like this, pick up a copy of Dianne Collins' book "Do You QuantumThink".  It has dozens of clever ways to wake back up and operate on a higher level.

 

Great One Minute Video on the Power of Focus

“The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire, not things we fear.”

  ~ Brian Tracy

Focus On 1 Goal At A Time.

 

It is graduation time, and I've had an opportunity to talk with a number of new graduates. 

As a result, I've been thinking about what advice best helps navigate the vast opportunites as one door closes, and another opens ...

Here is a great nugget from Brian Tracy, who is a master at taking the complicated and breaking it down into simple easy steps.

Watch "How to Focus: If You Could Achieve 1 Goal In 24 Hours".

 

If you could only accomplish one goal, yet it would only take 24-hours to achieve, which goal would have the greatest positive impact on your life? 

What a great question!  After you answer it, set a deadline to accomplish that goal ... and (here's the important part) do something to work on it, or take you towards it, every day.

Related articles

• Brian Tracy's 5 Rules for Greater Productivity (thechangeblog.com)
• Seven Secrets To Boost Your Productivity (scottlove.wordpress.com)
• Nine Things Successful People Do Differently (blogs.hbr.org)

Things You Can Learn From the Navy Seals' Creed & Code

The Seals have gotten some good press recently.  A little research suggests there is much to learn from their culture and actions.

To get started, here are a few things worth sharing.

The first is a video that presents the Navy Seal Creed: A Warrior's Creed.

 

Here is the text.

“In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life.

I am that man.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me – my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Tradition. Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed.

I will not fail.”

 
Next is a link to a gallery of photos showing Navy Seals in action.

The third is a link to a book Amazon is currently giving away in Kindle format.  It is called "Team Secrets of the Navy Seals".

Finally, here is a link to the Seal's Code, which is worth a look.

 

Great Video - "The Race" is an Uplifting Reminder of What's Possible

Worth watching.

 

Heather Dorniden, from the University of Minnesota, races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships. What happens reminds what a race really is about ... and, perhaps, what life is really about.

 

Here is the video.

 

 

We will fall. We can rise.  It is a choice.

Are You Inspired By the Purpose and Actions of Japanese Workers?

Imagine what was going on in the minds of the initial 50 Japanese workers who stayed behind (while everyone else was evacuated ) to try and fix things at the nuclear reactor after the earthquake ...

• Were they going to die, or become disabled from the exposure?
• How much radiation is safe? 
• What would happen if they didn't choose to go?

Why would anyone choose to put themselves at that much risk?

Archimedes said "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world." 

In this case, the lever was the fate of world, or at least their little corner of the world.  Their actions might save and change millions of lives. 

They had a purpose.  And once you have a big enough "Why" ... the "Hows" seem to take care of themselves.

You don't have to wait to be a 'hero'.

On a related note, here is a TED video worth watching.

It is called: "Life Lessons From a Volunteer Firefighter".

 

Small Acts matter.  Don't wait.

Related Info:

• Live Stream Showing What's Happening at the Reactor.
• Will They Use Robots to Clean-Up the Plant Damage?
• How Will the Earthquake and Nuclear Plant Damage Affect the Economy?
• Even Japanese Mafia Yakuza Groups Are Helping With Relief Efforts.

Some Thoughts for the New Year

You never know where a spark of inspiration will come from.  Sometimes you get it from a quote or a story; other times it might come from a question ...

The truth is that sources of inspiration are always there for you.  The question is whether you are looking for them or notice them when they show up.

Here's a source that I value for its practical wisdom and insights. 

"Today Is Your Day to Win" is a series of 99 daily lessons, delivered by e-mail. On more than a few occasions, it brought me a message right when I needed it.

It is written by Mike Brescia of Think Right Now, and it doesn't cost a cent.  Of course, to get the benefit, you will have to invest some time and mental cycles to consider the content.

Here is a sample from one of the messages.

Good Things Will Come To Me When I  ...

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 Today's Empowering Quote
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"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is good work today."
     --Elbert Hubbard

------------------------------
 Today's Empowering Question
------------------------------     

 "What can I do now that will prepare me for tomorrow?"

------------------------------  
 Today's Fast Session 
------------------------------

Often the most frustrating thing that any of us feel on a regular basis is to want something really bad, and not be able to get it right away.

Yes, it's frustrating.  But it's usually not realistic, is it? ...

It's getting so that it's increasingly rare to find people who are truly willing to put in the requisite time necessary to get the traits or items they want.  Our world today is trying to teach us that we must get what we want immediately; that it's our right.  And that's why so many of us are jealous, smoke or drink, are overweight, use drugs, etc. ...

Life is NOT like school.

In school, you can trick yourself into thinking you're doing great if you cram for exams and get decent scores. It is possible to get fairly good grades for a while that way.

But you don't learn it.  You're likely to just remember it until the exam is over... maybe.

That's why new college graduates often find it difficult to find a decent paying job.  Companies like successful work experience.  In college, you can fool the system and yourself.  In the professional world and in most other areas of life, it's a lot tougher.  Almost impossible.

Real life is truly like a farm.

On the farm, you must move the rocks, buy seeds and all the other stuff, plant the seeds, buy and maintain the equipment, pull weeds, keep the pests away, water the crops, buy and sell the animals, feed them, nurse the sick ones back to health, fertilize, etc.  And you need to keep up with it all everyday...


Or you won't have a crop at the end of the season.

Life is like this, too.  Just like a farm, you can't "cram" in life.  Don't be fooled.  Don't believe the lies that others want you to believe.  You want to believe it. I know you do.  But think.

The people who have the things you want earned them.  And don't believe they just got lucky.  Luck takes work. 

Put the effort in today and you'll get luckier and luckier.  Will it be immediately?  Probably not.  Beat this into your head... Anything worth having takes time to get it.

When I'm tempted to believe that I should have something (before I've earned it), I think of my grandparents.

They owned a farm.

And I realize that life can be long and that I can't put tomorrow before today.

Then I look at my goal, put my shoulder down and keep going...

With a smile on my face.

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Today's Winning Beliefs
------------------------------

-- I'm at peace with my responsibilities.
-- I'm preparing myself for tomorrow today.

Here is a link to the complete archive of lessons.

Let me know if you found other sources of inspiration worth sharing.

Related articles

• Quotes to Make You Think: 2010 Collected Quotes (ezrasf.com)
• Do you believe in luck? (successful-blog.com)
• Are You Successful? (thinktq.com)

Communications 101 Reminders

It turns out that it only takes minor misunderstandings to radically affect progress.  Likewise, it only takes minor changes to put things back on the right track and "unlock" a situation.

Here's an example from a recent strategic planning session in my company.

On several occasions during the planning session, I said "I've already given you that", or "we agreed on that before".

However, if we really were communicating, then there wouldn't still be an issue. Clearly, something was getting in the way of true communication.

What Can Cause This?

One of the issues was "bandwidth". If someone feels so overwhelmed that they can't take in anything more, then what would have been signal turns out to be noise. Another way to say that is even a reasonable request can seem unreasonable if the person is overwhelmed and doesn't feel like they have the resources to accomplish what they need.

A related issue is understanding, but not agreeing. In other words, we can talk about an issue ... but until someone says "yes" there isn't agreement. For example, in a car dealership there's a difference between saying "I really liked that car", or even "I really want to buy that car", versus "yes, I will buy this car."

The same dynamic plays out in a business meeting, and the stakes are often higher.

Related articles

• 5 Strategic Mistakes (verneharnish.typepad.com)
• Harvard Business: Good Communication, Better Orders (blogs.hbr.org)

One of the Chilean Miners Ran the New York Marathon Today.

Chilean miner Edison Peña, who ran constantly when he was trapped in the San José mine, ran the New York marathon today.

In the mine he ran at least 10 kilometers a day, taking between 10 and 12 laps underground, with heavy rubber boots with steel tips.  Peña said: “I ran inside the mine … I wanted to give a message to everybody”.

Peña was invited by the organizers of the marathon to be an honored guest, but he asked to participate instead.

It reminds me of something Viktor Frankl said:

"Our attitude towards what has happened to us in life is the important thing to recognize.
Once hopeless, my life is now hope-full, but it did not happen overnight.
The last of human freedoms, to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, is to choose one's own way." 

   ~   Victor Frankl, "Man's Search for Meaning"

Related articles

• Into the Sunlight and Onto the Streets of New York, the Miner Perseveres (marathon.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Rescued Chilean Miner Prepared For NYC Marathon (newyork.cbslocal.com)

Another Cool Change Blindness Video: The Color Changing Card Trick

This video shows how narrow your focus can be.  You'll have some fun, and what is revealed at the end is surprising. So pay attention as you watch the video. See what you notice.

 

It was done by pychologist, magician, and author Prof Richard Wiseman. Click here for background information about this video and the psychology behind it.

Professor Wiseman has more videos here.

In part 1 of this post, we examined Change Blindness and how we can miss incredibly obvious things (right in front of us) if our attention is focused elsewhere.

In an information-rich environment, attention is a scarce and essential resource.

Think how often your focus blinds you to the obvious.

Here are two books written by Professor Wiseman.  The first is called Quirkology, and it is about discoving big truths in small things.  The second is called 59 Seconds, and it is about little things that make big differences.

                         and      

Here is a link to a short video about 59 Seconds.

Related articles

• Richard Wiseman on the Psychology of Magic from TAM 6 (randi.org)
• Dangers of Driving Distracted.... (simoleonsense.com)
• Memory's Best Tricks (psychologytoday.com)

Awareness Test Video - Your Attention Span Is Smaller Than You Think

You look, but do you see?

Daniel Simons' experiments on visual awareness have become famous.  The primary conclusion drawn from his research is that we can miss incredibly obvious things, right in front of us, if our attention is focused elsewhere.

Test Your Awareness.

Watch this video and count how many passes the team in white makes. 

This is worth doing so you experience it yourself.

Try to ignore the black team.  Just focus on the white team, and see if you can accurately count how many times they pass the ball. 

OK, click the video to do it now.

 

Did you get the right answer?  Even though I knew what to expect, the result or effect was surprising.

By the way, there is a newer version of this video, here.

Think how often your focus blinds you to the obvious.

Change Blindness.

Missing an invisible gorilla or a moon-walking bear may seem strange.  However, the next experiment may be more surprising.

This video demonstrates "change blindness".  In an experiment, 75% of the participants didn't notice that the experimenter who bent under a counter was replaced by a different person.

 

If you liked that, here is a version done by Derrin Brown. It is quite clever and worth watching. It was even more surprising to me because it was done in public with "real people".   How did people not notice a white male switching with a black guy (or an asian female) in the middle of a conversation?

Warning: Objects In Your Attention Span Are Fewer Than You Perceive.

Moment by moment, the brain selectively processes information it deems most relevant. Experiments, like these, show the limits of our capacity to encode, retain, and compare visual information from one glance to the next. 

More importantly, this suggests that our awareness of our visual surroundings is far more sparse than most people intuitively believe.  Consequently, our intuition can deceive us far more often than we perceive.

Clearly, in an information-rich environment, attention is a scarce and essential resource. So, pay attention (or automate the things you know need to be done right, every time).

Related Resources.

• To read more about this, check-out the Invisible Gorilla book.
• Here is a link to the Invisible Gorilla website.
• Here are more fun video examples of Change Blindness.

Related articles

• The invisible gorilla returns to show us how often we miss the obvious (io9.com)
• A Must Read: The Invisible Gorilla (psychologytoday.com)
• Pay Attention - or Else (blogs.hbr.org)