1 Chron 29:19 And give my son Solomon an uncluttered and focused heart so that he can obey what you command, live by your directions and counsel…” (Message)

Focus is not about focusing on the things that need to be done. Focus is about eliminating all the other good things from your demanding schedule.

What you don’t do determines what you can do!

Harry Emerson Fosdick, “No horse ever gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.”

Complexity is a great cover-up. Busyness can hide and clutter the fact that nothing is really going on.

What you don’t do determines what you can do! Your “yes” becomes more powerful when your “no” becomes more regular! The difference between productive people and really productive people is that really productive people say no to almost everything.

Focus is not about focusing on the things that need to be done. Focus is about eliminating all the other good things from your demanding schedule. Most of us live in blissful ignorance about how much time we waste. Spending time without investing it produces ultimate dissatisfaction. We were created by God for relationally purposeful living.

This exercise may seem overwhelming at first but take the time to walk it out and it has the power to change the rest of your life. Purpose at every meal to reflect on how you’ve spent the hours before that meal. Log that in the spreadsheet. 

Seeing where your time went gives you a great perspective on how to make adjustments in the realms of wasting time, spending time and investing time strategically.

Click here to download the spreadsheet.

Here are a few ideas to help you focus in on purposeful direction and strategic focus for your life.

Reflect on these thoughts to discover what is most important to you:

If I were to die today what would be my greatest regret?

At my funeral if I could have one thing said about me what would that be?

BE CAREFUL NOT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHO YOU ARE.

25 THEN

1. Write down a list of your top twenty-five goals (or more). This might seem impossible at first, but give it a try. List all of the projects you’re currently working on, both at home and at work. List all of the things you want to do but feel like there’s no time. List at least twenty-five. More is better.

2. Next, review your list. Which goals are most appealing? Do some soul-searching — it doesn’t matter how — and narrow the list to the five highest-priority objectives. Just five. Circle them (or copy them to another piece of paper).

3. Lastly, look at the goals you didn’t circle. “These you avoid at all costs,” writes Duckworth. “They’re what distract you; they eat away time and energy, taking your eyes from the goals that matter more.” Harsh but true.

Once I discover who I am I’m able to more clearly define my priorities and will begin attracting the people God’s called me to impact.

YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE! How many of you have ever climbed stairs? Could you see the entire stairwell before you took the first step? Give God something to work with! GET STARTED TODAY!