Concentrate on finding your goal, then concentrate on reaching it. Colonel Michael Friedsman
In the chaos of everyday living, pausing to evaluate what we really want is both a rare privilege and a tough option. However, just as we squeeze in time for our personal grooming, take time out for family indulgences and social commitments it is imperative that we pause and study the route map of our future. As someone correctly pointed Pay attention to the future, for it is there that we are going to spend the rest of our lives.
In the short term, our goals will be determined in the order of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and the predominant goals would hinge around food, clothing and shelter, followed by security and recognition needs. Ironically, no sooner our needs are met, they turn into wants and then those wants soon morph into cravings for luxuries. While our wants can be broadly defined as above, pinning it into specifics is a tedious, indecisive and inconclusive process. If one can pin those goals to specifics, many of us would lead relatively stress free lives because there is clarity on our goals and all we need to do is concentrate on them.
Security for the future and quality of our future life are two predominant themes that will provide the blue print for us to decide our long term goals. Our security concerns include our future income potential, our insurance for illness and similar eventualities, the cost of living and outflows in the future. The quality of life theme examines the possibility of living independently with the spouse or the challenges of living with married kids or the probability of living in a retirement home and the kind of lifestyle one would want to maintain. However, to zoom in on specifics is a rather tough goal for it is human nature to have never satiated wants. Without a clear goal, we can never concentrate on where and how we want to go and to awaken to the reality one has reached there.
Assuming we have somehow managed to identify our goals, we need to work out the 5w’s and 1H of attaining those goals. With a goal in front of us, we can then map out the road map to reach the same. This will enable us to ideate with focus, plan with purpose and achieve our goals on time. We can inbuilt contingency plans, identify possible risks, track progress, realign the pace and pathway and more than anything else, enjoy the exuberance of life as we near each goal.
Remember: Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets.”
Try these:
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Attempt to do a Sudoku puzzle. Initially you might find it hard, but if you attempt it a few times, you will realize that you have got the crux of solving it. Alternatively, if you have a arithmetic phobia, try a little basic science experiment. Take a piece o paper, a magnifying glass and sit comfortably in an open space where there is adequate sunlight. Hold the magnifying glass over the paper in such a manner that the sunlight passes through the magnifying glass. When sufficient heat is concentrated on the paper, (this may take a few minutes and depends on the intensity of the sunlight and the power of the magnifying glass and your ability to hold the magnifying glass still) see the paper catch fire. (Please exercise caution while attempting this and children should attempt this only under adult supervision.)
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Playing a game of rapid chess / bridge/ memory cards would be an interesting exercise to judge your ability to concentrate, remember and concentrate on your goals.
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If you would like to see the benefits of concentration, try the Jacobsens Relaxation Technique also known as Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) Technique http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_muscle_relaxation This is a wonderful technique for you to relax using the power of concentration.
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