7 Steps to Find Your Focus and Achieve Mastery
If you've ever watched professional divers you'll notice a few things about that moment right before they make their first plunge of the day.
The first is the point they make with their hands touched together above their heads as they enter the water head first. They have a target in the water they are aiming for with total focus.
Charlotte Karlsen
The second is, they have a sense of calm on their face. Even though they are concentrating, they have practiced their dives time and time again. They can't control all the factors, but they know what they're doing. They can let go and let their body do what it has been trained to do.
The third is, if they haven't been in the water yet they will be vulnerable to the cold that will hit them once they make their leap. Yet, they open themselves up to it willingly each day.
These are three elements needed for mastery.
Ask yourself, what do you want to master? What are you willing to practice day after day, year after year, despite the vulnerable position it may put you in each time?
To achieve mastery:
Find what you would like to focus on - and check with your heart to make sure it is something that gives you joy, love or peace
Accept the risks and vulnerabilities it exposes you to, and
Practice so you can let your inner calm lead you the rest of the way
If you don't know how to pick what your focus should be, or if you don't know if your focus aligns with your heart's true desire, ask yourself these questions:
1. What dream do you hold so dear, you are afraid to share it with others for fear of being ridiculed or being told you will never have it?
Ex: You want to be a Hollywood actor.
Your focus may not be the exact answer to that question, but it will hold the essence of that answer. It will contain the elements you desire most.
2. To find the essence of what you want, ask yourself WHY you want your dream.
Ex: Why do you want to be a Hollywood actor? Because you want fame or to be seen or noticed.
3. Then ask yourself what interests do you keep coming back to time and time again?
Ex: You used to write jokes as a kid. You still do from time to time. You also like watching stand up comedians - not just for entertainment - but also so you can study their jokes, word choices, and delivery.
4. Combine that answer with the essence of what you hold dear and that is your focus!
Ex: You want to be noticed/seen and you love comedy/joke-writing. You could work to become a famous Hollywood joke or script writer for comedy movies. You could work to become a stand-up comedian. You could launch a comedy YouTube channel.
Regardless of what avenue, your focus is to get noticed for your comedy. This is something you could practice daily if you committed to it. And it is something that leaves you vulnerable as sometimes your jokes will fall flat.
Once you've identified your focus, commit to being a master at that skill (Ex: Joke writing/comedy). Once you commit, the path to your success will open. As you follow it, you will get the abundance you desire and recognition you seek.