Advice on Ways to Focus | Essentialism, Bill Gates & LinkedIn

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Being able to focus is a key capability when it comes to high productivity. When asked “what was the most important factor in their success through life?”, both Bill Gates and Warren Buffet answered “focus”. Gates was particularly relentless when writing software prior to the launch of his company, Microsoft. He spent two weeks in Harvard’s computer lab, sometimes even falling asleep at the terminal. This distraction-free environment helped him prepare the software code that would help initiate the personal computer era.

Google’s philosophy published on their website contains the principle that “It’s best to do one thing really, really well”. In their case it was search, using continuous iteration and improvements to make the experience better for the user. They have then applied what they’ve learnt to new products such as maps and email.

A few weeks ago I read a book called Essentialism by Greg McKeown and in this book Greg advocates a mind-set and way of living that promotes attempting to do the right thing, the right way at the right time. We can achieve this by being more selective when deciding what is essential. By focusing our energy and effort on goals that really matter, we can actually accomplish more by doing less. However, this is only possible by focusing on the present moment and asking yourself “What is important now”?

By focusing on the present your drive is not dispersed by distractions and you’re able to apply all your energy to the job at hand. The harder you work on something, the easier it is to execute on it.

Greg argues that we can multi task but we can only focus on one of those tasks at a time. I often listen to podcasts when I’m on a long distance run. Doing both things at the same time is easy but I am only focused on listening to the audio, while I’m running on autopilot. If I focus on the running I find it difficult to absorb everything being said on the podcast.

If you want to be in the present, considering these three techniques will help:

  1. Work out what is most important right now. Often we’re pulled in several directions with several tasks vying for our attention. Realise which ones are essential and focus on achieving those, crossing off any that are not important right now. 
  2. Get the future out of your head. This allows you to focus on what’s important now. Write down any ideas you have in your head so that (a) you have a record of them and (b) you won’t feel the need to act on them or stress over them at the present moment.
  3. Prioritise your list of what is essential now and work through them methodically.

The LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner uses focus as an acronym to teach employees his philosophy on focusing and leadership.

F – Fewer things done better

O

C- Communicating the right information to the right people at the right time

U

S – Speed and quality of decision making.

This FCS abbreviation emphasises that a leader should not have a mind-set of trying to be everything to everyone but that instead, less is more. They should not be too general in their communication, keeping it clear, consistent and succinct. Finally, any decisions made should not be unpredictable or erratic, causing vagueness and uncertainty to their employees. Being clear on what is expected of an employee is the key to empowering that person in their role.

To summarise, in a digital world where demands are made of our attention 24 hours a day, being able to focus is a necessary skill. To nurture this skill requires practise but it is a cornerstone ability to achieve success.


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