Seeing Red Cars
Announcement: Leave a comment on this post and earn a chance to win one of twenty signed copies of, “Seeing Red Cars.”
Laura Goodrich has written a small book with a big message (150 pages).
I’m not a fan of simplistic, “positive thinking,” the approach that if you dream it you’ll do it. The world is filled with dreamers that don’t achieve. However, I believe, “Seeing Red Cars,” provides rubber-hits-the-road strategies for creating and achieving a vision driven life, team, and organization.
How to drive into a positive future?
Focus on what you want. It’s likely you spend most of your life reacting rather than acting. Additionally, research shows that 70% of your thoughts are about what you don’t want and what you’d like to avoid.
Can you, in this moment, name what you want? You can’t get there if you can’t name it. “Clarity is the most important motivator and predictor of future success. You get more of what you focus on.”
Focus on what you can control. Life’s frustrations center on things you can’t control. Trying to control them drains you. You’ll go farther by playing to your strengths and controlling what you can control.
Six Strategies that help you get there.
- Jump into social media. Twitter is the most powerful tool available for establishing new connections.
- Follow your intuition. When was the last time you did some soul-searching?
- Engage in many conversations. One significant conversation can change your life.
- Utilize supporters. Let others help.
- Utilize doubters. Prove the: can’t, don’t, and won’t people wrong.
- Deal effectively with weaknesses by linking with the strengths of others.
If you can’t state what you want, describe your plan, and define a time-line for getting there, “Seeing Red Cars,” is for you.
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February 14 is the release date of, “Seeing Red Cars.” 50% of the royalties from opening-day sales are being donated to the Make a Wish® Foundation of Minnesota.
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Why don’t individuals focus more on what they want?
How can leaders develop a more positive, vision driven outlook, both personally and organizationally.
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I was able to identify what I want on two fronts, one a personal goal and the other a business or organizational goal, one ultimately affects the other. I have alot of ideas, but have not organized those ideas into a plan or timeline for achieving them….my problem I think, is that I get to wrapped up in the details of the plan. How detailed should a plan be?
I think you’ll like the toolkit! It will help! Laura
I love the focus on staying positive. I try to surround myself with others who think positively and are really trying to do something with their lives and careers. It makes a world of difference if I have these supporters alongside me! In my work as a fundraiser, attitude is everything; so, I’ve got to stay positive!
The last couple of years have left many feeling powerless! As you’ve noted, there is choice and action and it’s exactly what the world needs right now! It does make a world of difference!
Laura,
Congratulations on the release of your new book. Thanks for sending a review copy. I totally enjoyed the read. Love your passion.
Best with your book and your future endeavors,
Dan
Focus on what you want, but also know what the major milestones are going to look like. Too often, we lose sight of the vision when we are in the valleys and think we have lost our way. Anticipate those moments and have a way to navigate through them.
Hi ya Dan, I just wanted to say that I think you make some important points in this blog post. In fact, I just wrote a nice post on my own blog where I urge my readers to read it! I hope that you like it!
All the best 8-), cars2scrap.
Like you Dan, I am not a fan of the simplistic “positive thinking” genre. Your overview definitely shows that Laura has put much more thought into the positive thinking process. It also takes action. I particularly like the engaging doubters – many times we tend to avoid those people if at all possible.
Yep Mark! Having a clear sense of the milestones and celebrating them is key! Many of the things that we are driving toward take a long time. Knowing clearly what we want gives us a target to focus on when the going gets tough!
Why dont individuals focus more on what they want ? It could be because they might focus more on capabilities building so that they can be more suitable for the position or goal they want. Focusing on goals and possessing the required skills are different things. If you want to achieve something and do have that skills or abilities, they however you may focus on acquiring the goals, you may not succeed. On the other hand, when you know that you need certain competencies or capabliites to achieved that goal, they you need to focus more on strengthening the desired talents.
I think leader can develop a more positive outlook by aligning strenghts interest and goal. Many a times we compromise because of circumstances and unfavourable conditions. We also need to know our priority and interest. And priority always has edge over interest. When we try to fulfill our interest first then we derails our focus. So, we should deal with our priority first and if possible take your interest parallel.
Sometimes, I question the statement what can be changed and what can not be changed. To answer this question, we need to see our pattern of analysing and seeing the things. It comes from our belief system. Often stronger belief system thinks and tries to change what is impossible and perceived by people difficult.
I like the point where you said have conversations. Because of that only I was able to find opportunities that changed my life. Also I ask for opportunities at the most they will reject it or say later. But most times I am always given a chance. Its important to reach out for things instead of sitting and waiting.
It reminds me of the interaction from Alice in Wonderland where Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which road to take. When he asks her where she wants to go, she says she doesn’t care. “Then,” he says, “it really doesn’t matter which way you go.” If you have a goal and can clearly visualize it, you’re more likely to make choices that will move you closer to the goal. This can also help you feel a little more in control of your future. And a positive attitude never hurts!
Dan, the coaching model I use starts with what do you want. I see, almost every day, the lack of clarity people have around what they want. I believe your point about we are too busy reacting to life rather than thinking/ reflecting would be my experience. It is easy to deal with the “urgent” things in my life and feel productive, right up to the point when we are faced with the nagging sense of where we are going is not where we want to go.
It would be wonderful if everyone could/would spend part of each day focused on the important. At the very least leaders need to develop that habit. What is the most important use of my time today? How/where can I make the biggest impact? How is what I’m doing helping us move toward our goal(s), our vision for the future?
These are disciplines/habits that leaders at all levels need to develop. Those are the habits that bring sharper focus for individuals, teams, and organizations and are vital for success. These same habits apply to our personal life. The payoff’s are huge.
Jim
This reminds me of the Stockdale Paradox. Looking forward to hearing more about the balance across positive thinking and dreaming.
Based on what I’ve read so far – I love this book! So many people take modesty too far; they’ve been taught to look in the mirror and accept what they see, instead of looking at themselves and LOVING what they see. So many people tell themselves they aren’t good enough, or smart enough, or they don’t deserve that promotion or that house in the country. Positive thinking is a great start, and reminding yourself everyday of your goals, dreams, and aspirations will help pave your path to the life you deserve to live. I can’t wait to read ‘Seeing Red Cars’ and big thanks to Laura Goodrich for playing it forward and giving back to the Make a Wish foundation!!
~Crystal
And not only drive to a positive future, but to a positive today. There are SO many things out of our control, but not how we react to them, act with them, make them a part of the moment, here , now, and the next.
Why don’t individuals focus more on what they want?
How can leaders develop a more positive, vision driven outlook, both personally and organizationally.
I enjoyed this post! I agree, Dan, that many “quick-read” positive thinking resources out there are very surface-y in nature. However, sometimes we all need succinct in order to grab tools that we need and get moving. Thank you for sharing something with us that fits that bill. As far as why individuals don’t focus on what they want, I think many of us take a long time to find out what we really, truly, deep down inside WANT. It is easy to adopt “wants” that the external world things we should have (money, credentials, titles, achievements, belongings) but there’s some intense, often painful, soul-searching that leads to knowing what we really WANT. For me as a working parent, the “want” to be physically present more for my children has gotten pushed to the side by various life demands (income, debt, need/want of professional status).
Developing a more positive, vision driven out look? That’s a great question. I think Laura’s #4 and #5 – utilizing the supporters and the doubters alike – is a strategy that individuals AND leaders could use in finding a positive, vision-driven direction. Both are part of the equation.
Paula, You are right. getting moving is key! The current environment has paralyzed so many people!
I agree! What I want has evolved so much over the years. Some things have endured, but upon reaching certain milestones, I realized that they weren’t exactly what I wanted, nor were they the best thing for my family and I! Even though superficially, they seemed like truly great goals. So I hope there’s something in the book about soul searching to define goals, as well as when/how to switch gears– red cars pun intended 🙂
Nice sentiment and nice pun!
Sound intriguing. I concur that Twitter is a valuable resource but there isn’t a place to have deep conversations over the internet and have it available to all. The person who develops that will be a very rich individual.
The power of strategy combined with a positive attitude/outlook is unstopapble!! Thanks for bringing this book to my attention! Love your blog
Similar line of thinking to the Navy Seals and TM. it is fascinating how some different ways get to the same place.
The fact that we spend 70% of the time thinking about what we don’t want and would like to avoid is so true. It is evident in what we say. As a youth sports coach, I often hear parents/players shout ‘Don’t miss’ or ‘don’t let them go there’, statements that focus purely on the negative. Changing vocalized statements to ‘do make it’ and ‘you can stop them’ can make such a difference, not only to a players confidence but also to the result. Once explained, even to the youngest players, the changes they seek can be quickly realised.
Gordon, Yes, well intentioned parents begin the process of focusing on what we don’t want! Every time I’m at a youth sporting event I hear it! It’s a simple shift, but that doesn’t make it easy! 😉 ie: You can do it! Run it out! Tough defense….
Great List – Kudos to Laura and to Dan for sharing it. When we have clear, focused goals and pursue them we stand out like a “red car” and others want to come along for the ride.
Once again, a great post. Establishing clear objectives in the most important roles of our live and then focusing attention and energy on it, is key for living a satisfying life. Thanks Leadership Freak for being my favorite blog.
Glad I found this today, I look forward to learning more with my new copy! Thank you!
Hope you love it!
Absolutely true and excellent. Very practical advice that if acted upon consistently, cannot only relieve bad stress, but produce many more positive outcomes. Thank you for this post!
Great Post! Can’t wait to read the book. Seems like good practical ideas and balance is the key.
I’m sold on the book – I just got thru ordering it from Amazon. I LOVE the fact that part of today’s sales proceeds are being donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation – that is SO wonderful!
That’s awesome Rebeccaa!
I really enjoyed the use the strengths of others because not all of us are good at everything. We are lucky to be good at even one thing but when we use the talents of others, then we can become great. There are no great companies really built on one persons talents that lasts for a long period of time. It is those who bring in the right people that go the distance. Thank you for this blog.
Zach, That is the power of knowing your strengths and partnering with others that have strengths in other areas!
I don’t utilize many of the six, so I guess that explains why I feel like I’m floundering much of the time. I hope I win…. sounds like I really need the insights from this book! 🙂
DAna,
Thanks for your authenticity. It means alot to me. Good luck in the drawing for one of the books.
Cheers,
Dan
The value of being on twitter is incredible. Just to pick up on what Richie Rump was saying about deep conversations on twitter I can only partially agree on that. You can begin deep conversations on Twitter, but it’s up to you to put the effort in and take those conversations offline if you really want to go deeper.
Twitter is a great tool for connecting with people and starting conversations, but the mix between online and offline are amazing!
Jason
@jasondyk
Jason,
I’m so glad we connected on twitter! I think initially, twitter connections are very thin. However, when you follow up, converse, call, and email, deeper connections emerge.
Best to you,
Dan
Good stuff. Focus on what you want. Remember, you get what you reward. Thanks for the review, Dan.
Additionally, research shows that 70% of your thoughts are about what you don’t want and what you’d like to avoid…ouch. Seem to have allowed weariness to devolve joy and enthusiasm into run of the mill thinking. Oy.
Thanks again for a solid reminder to press into life.
Mark Jones Jr. in his comment touched on an essential part of a vision-driven agenda: know the guideposts. You not only need a vision for success but you need to know what success will look like when you reach it. So many of us (me included) are mired in the day-to-day clutter that we don’t make the effort to work toward our long-term goals. I look forward to reading Ms. Goodrich’s book.
Gordon, Yes, well intentioned parents begin the process of focusing on what we don’t want! Every time I’m at a youth sporting event I hear it! It’s a simple shift, but that doesn’t make it easy! 😉 You can do it! Run it out! Tough defense….
‘Follow Your Intuition’ is resonating in my mind. In business situations I tend to focus more on facts and analysis than my own intuition. Remembering to check in with ‘your gut’ sounds like a great way to find a new sense of direction.
Love this message. I have brought up my children to believe that every day you choose your attitude. Can’t wait to read this one! Thank you for donating to Make A Wish.
Hi Dan,
I strongly believe that what you focus on is what you will get. Having clarity of what you want is a starting point. Without any action though it doesn’t matter how clear you are on what you want. All too often we take a passive role in life. I’m looking forward to checking out Laura’s book and her recommendations to go from passive to active.
Thanks for sharing!
Kelly
Hi Kelly, You’ve got that right! It’s definitely not a spectators sport! I hope you enjoy it! Laura
This book sounds AWESOME!!! I want to win it incredibly bad… I had a very significant convo last night and I realized why I wanted to go to Grad School to stay at SMU and that was to change the culture on this campus. I hope to bring forth a revolution of love and community, but I can only do so if I stay on campus longer. I believe deep down inside my subconscious knew this was why the whole time, but I didn’t realize it until someone asked me and then it verbally and naturally came out in conversation. Now that I’ve established what I want to do, I have committed to finishing my grad app by this Wednesday! ; D
Like you, I believe that “if you dream it” does not necessarily mean you can actually do it. Laura gives some great strategies here. I borrowed a copy from Dr. Ellen Weber and have been able to focus on more red cars in a given day. Amazingly, the visual image can help increase our focus. Believe it or not, the human brain can be even more attentive when more of our senses are involved rather than just knowing we need to stay positive. The red car can make the difference in following through the strategy, but we need the reminder as we have our morning coffee! 😉
Dan, I appreciate your keeping us posted on new books and publications. Very helpful. Seeing Red Cars sounds like a good tool for the tool kit as we try to bring new ideas and focus to the more senior leader who may be hesitant to embrace current strategies for engagement and what makes a team perform. All postiive. Thanks.
Kevin,
One of my great pleasures as a blogger is bringing value to my readers. As readership has grown, authors and publishers keep sending books. I’m to the place now where I don’t review books unless they provide copies for the Leadership Freak community. How cool is that! I’m having too much fun.
Best to you,
Dan
I am curious what more the book has to say. I have been enjhoying your tweets and messages.
This sounds great! Leaders need tangible steps to help ensure that their strategies and everyday tactics, as well as their visions, fit with their core values and principles. Seeing Red Cars sounds like a great way to either begin or continue that process of connection.
Thank you!
My two young boys play a game when travelling which amounts to calling out when they see a yellow car. They shout “Yellow car, no return” which means the other cannot look back to see the car and claim a point.
Seeing Red Cars sounds like it can be a version of the game to be applied for self and business development. No point looking back, look forward and hit the road.
“Red Car, no return!”
It’s All About COMMITMENT – Like you, I don’t believe that your DREAMS will come true just because you want them…You’ve got to be committed to follow through and have the discipline to take on the challenges and go through those challenges.
The Six Strategies Are Right On –
Quite frankly, I am amazed on who I have met, and what I have learned from social media – especially TWITTER. I have learned things about myself that I never would have, had I not met some very intelligent, and supportive people on Twitter and other Social Media vehicles.
Soul Searching is another great one – when was the last time you challenged yourself and really found out what you wanted, how you were going to get there, and then have the discipline to follow that path that you lay out for yourself – It is so easy to say you want to change, or you want better for yourself…it is also so easy to give up on that vision.
And finally, ASK FOR SUPPORT! I believe (and I might be wrong) that people truly do want to help others – all you have do is ask. I realize (and I am guilty) that asking for help for some people is not easy, but once you take the first step, and make the connection, it does become easier and you will find people want to help you get to your dream.
Thanks for the post
SPGonz
Steve,
When writing the book I wrote, “If you focus on what you want and sit on the couch you’ll get nothing more than a WIDE A_ _ . That line might not have made it to final edit! I’m not sure! Hee Hee! Enjoy! Laura
p.s. I believe that people do want to help!
Great Message I am starting some of these tips but would love to read them more in depth to continue the right path!
Wow! Your comment ‘clarity is the most important motivator and predictor of future success’ really resonated with me. I recently had a fantastic coaching session which made me realise that clarity of vision is the only thing standing in my way! I’ve started to do some work around my goals and gettinguch clearer about them.
Jo,
I’m with you. I think the clarity statement is simply profound. It’s simple and it’s profound. Frankly, I think all real wisdom is simple. It’s the kind of thing that when someone says it we think, I knew that.
Best to you,
Dan
I work with a program for 21-35 year-olds. The goal is that they would go through an intense year-long trip serving the poor in other countries, then come back to develop and implement a vision to help change the situations they experienced on their journey. Many of them come back broken and with a big idea, but few are taking the steps necessary to bring real change. Perhaps some of the tips in this book will help put some feet to the ground in getting this stuff happening. I’ll have to check it out.
Ashley,
First off, bravo for your work! It sounds like an amazing process! I believe the book and toolkit will really help! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Laura
It is very easy to get stuck in a rut dealing with day-to-day issues and lose sight of your original hopes and dreams. It helps me to regularly take a step back to get a different perspective and spend time planning my life not just going wherever life takes me.
Love the point about conversations. The significant words spoken to me have shaped me. Learning to choose to listen and act on the words that line up with my dreams has spurred me on to pursue the next step.
I am always looking for opportunities for sel-help, especially in areas of leadership, communication, teamwork and goal-setting. We work with our high-school students in helping them prepare for the future, discussing these topics.
I can see it from both sides. I’ve no shortage of dreams and ideas, but just some problems prioritizing them. You can’t kiss all the girls. As such, I’ve jumped into some things while others have simmered on the back burner. I often regret not getting to some of them which I imagine would have been easy to pursue and have had great rewards. Nonetheless, I’m happy with the accomplishments I’ve made and the path I’m on.
Congratulations to Laura on writing a great book. With Dan’s recommendation and knowing it’s published by Berrett-Koehler (who are very selective in the books they choose to publish), I went ahead and placed my order on amazon, so you don’t need to sign me up for the free copy. Just wanted to wishing you the best on the launch of your new book.
Jesse,
You are amazing. Thanks for stopping in to give a word of encouragement. Everyone needs encouragement. You are a people lifter!
Cheers,
Dan
Laura
A little book with a big message – what better way to do things! That is so positive in itself, let alone the message it brings, especially the notion of clarity!
I’m big on clarity – simple, clear purpose – wins hands down every time!
Finally, as someone newly-embracing social media, I completely agree with your first strategy – I have been astounded at the connections and conversations I have had in a few short months! So I wish you every success with the book … and its message!
Utilize supporters and utilize doubters are two great, and separate, focuses on leadership! Supporters will tell you what you want to hear, while doubters will tell you what you need too. I am looking forward to reading a book about ‘how’ and what to do in order to get the rubber to hit the road! I am looking at different job opportunities but need to figure out what i want! I see this book as a tremendous step forward.
Hi Dan. Your post has made me remember Professor Albert Bandura and his Self-Efficacy theory. That is «the belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations». So you have to think on what you want to achieve. Not on troubles or obstacles. Leaders have a big role in this area, of course. Are they who must work and encouraging their people to not think on impossibilities. Thanks Dan
Great post. Look forward to reading the book.
I look forward to reading this book, because more often than not I tend to go off on rabbit trails. I like to think I know where I’m going, but just like this sentence end up somewhere else, because I see something on the side that I can do well.
Very True! Dreaming is the first part, but putting the rubber to the road is where it happens. Nice points! Looking forward to reading the book.
I can relate to focusing on what you want. When I decided to buy a Honda Odyssey, I could not believe all the Odyssey’s that now appeared on the road. I really need to start thinking of what I want instead of what I do not want.
Why don’t individuals focus more on what they want?
1. It’s really hard to decide and commit.
2. It’s much easier to focus on the reasons why they’re not able to succeed.
How can leaders develop a more positive, vision driven outlook, both personally and organizationally?
1. Choose what they want to accomplish.
2. Figure out what sustains their spirit and drives their mojo.
3. Identify/confront/eliminate the fall-back excuses that prevent them from moving forward.
Why don’t individuals focus more on what they want?
Too busy? Too many meetings? Not looking for ‘red cars’? Fearful that they might get what they want and then what?
Laurie’s golf video had me chuckling…how the heck did I hit that little itty bitty tree when the whole rest of the course was wide open!!!?
How can leaders develop a more positive, vision driven outlook, both personally and organizationally? (own their own negativity and scotomata?)
The six suggestions are a great maps to consider….
Social media…definitely can grow there, even though have been on the ‘interwebs’, gaming and FB for a long time, tweets just haven’t grabbed me. Limited characters and depth, but that is just my old perception… will dig into that more.
Follow your intuition. Again, we all claim we are too busy, too overwhelmed…who told us to be too busy and too overwhelmed?
Engage in many conversations. One significant conversation can change your life. This is a powerful concept. And maybe even with social media this can occur. While I still see Richie’s point about the limitations, but even some depth is better than none…and the options, I think of how many people around the net that I have come in contact with…boggles the mind…20 years ago, not an option.
Utilize supporters. Let others help. Love this one…let go and… actually supporters will become doers.
Utilize doubters…also excellent…without the ‘no’s where is the challenge? It’s great fun proving naysayers wrong. You need all perspectives to see all the options.
Deal effectively with weaknesses by linking with the strengths of others–this also requires honest ownership and remember the somewhat paradoxic perspective that our weaknesses are our strengths.
Dang, who is holding up that mirror now!?
Thanks all, fun read.
One behavior I witness is a tendency to focus on what “I have to do.” “I have to take the kids to soccer.” “I have to do the laundry.” This leads directly to the thought, “I chase that dream as soon as I get some time, but right now I have to …”
It is easy to spend years serving percieved imperatives without asking the question, “Why do I have to?”
Sadly, when you finally no longer ‘have to take the kids to soccer’ you will miss it so much…for a long long time.
‘have to’ versus ‘get to’ word choices have such power.
Hi Laura and Dan, first of all I love it when some of the proceeds from a business endeavor go to charity. It makes a profound statement for me and one that quickly motivates me to participate so your book Laura is nestled on my IPad Kindle ready for the “road” sort of speak.
I learned a very long time ago that energy utilized in addressing things that are clearly beyond our control is totally fruitless and a waste of everyone’s time. The caveat here is to be careful and ascertain that yes the issue is beyond your control. Engaging others to help with that distinction I have found to be useful and elevates the concept to the community level. As far as what I want, well in these ever changing dynamic markets, some of the wishes and wants change on a daily basis but the steadfast and passionate driven desires will always remain as the core nucleus of a personal and organizational vision. Laura I wish you well on your book, appreciate the charitable shelf, and very much look forward to reading it. Kind regards, Al
Two things – Thanks for showing me a short book – in the midst of writing one myself on my relationship revolution and seeing this book gives me the confidence to STOP. Literally – not sure why I was afraid to write a short book but today’s post inspired me to get what I have to say out and not to worry about length – it’s clearly the content.
Finally – love love love 6 strategies – I already employ 1-3 effectively but must get better at 3 – 6 – thanks again!
Be well!
Laura – I celebrate your success. I am always interested in knowing more about and supporting women in buisness. Thanks for blazing the trail.
Kelly
Hope I win a book. I look forward to reading Ms. Goodrich’s wisdom and story. We play a game in our family, it’s called “yellow car” (can’t be a taxi or a truck.) It’s not “red car” because those are more prevalent & easy to spot. We like to stretch ourselves ;0)
This sounds like a book I need! I spend more time getting through my to do list and in the end I still wonder what I really want to do!
Sometimes it is easier to obtain easy goals and if you set an easy goal you can reach then you will be happy when you have met it. Setting high seemingly out of reach goals can also be obtained some of the time but even if you don’t meet the total goal it is likely that you will achieve a higher goal than if you set an easier one. I am slowly coming to this realization and it is rewarding.
Sounds like an interesting book.
Dan, thanks for another great book suggestion! You’re frequently introducing me to fascinating new books that I haven’t heard of, which I appreciate especially since many colleagues look to me for names of good new books.
The six strategies here are terrific.
Wow! I’ve always “almost” believed in “the power of intention.” This concept clears up a lot of the areas I had problems with. I strongly believe if you can name your target, you will focus more completely on it and be much more likely to hit it. Serendipity happens when you are focused… you see what has always been there, and recognize it for how it fits your goals. Book sounds great! I’d love a copy.
I think these principles sound wonderful. I especially like the simplicity of 6 things to focus on.
So true. Focusing on want we want takes more time and energy now…but it’s worth it.
Richard Bach once wrote, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” I’ve always loved that quote because it embodies the dream with the work…the vision with the milestones. I would agree with Dan, too, that connections are central to achieving our goals and to living a rich and heart-centered life. Twitter is not only a way to start a conversation, but a way to learn and grow as well. Thanks for the great post!
The title really caught me at first, but not in a positive way. Then after looking a little closer it was intriguing. * The title made me do a second look * I have not read the book yet, but looking at the discussion and book description it looks interesting. So many people at work (and in life) focus on all the negative stuff and forget about all the good stuff around them. You keep thinking it long enough and it will come true.
Sometimes people don’t focus on what they want because their vision is too big or too far away. They haven’t broken ot down into bite size pieces.
The thing that stands out to me the most is acting, instead of reacting…focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want. Perfect advice for getting what to what you want.
As always, these are on time!
Every year on my birthday I take the time to review the past year and to reflect on the future. I actually write down goals in a journal for the upcoming year and for 5 and 10 years out. It is fun to see how the goals change and even more fun when I get to cross them off the list once I have accomplished them! As I grow and mature through the years my focus changes and I seem to be looking more at the “big picture” of life and planning for out years.
Thanks for sharing insightful information – on your block, on twitter, and on facebook. May your day be blessed.
Focus is a discipline that requires self examination & solitude. We have to tune out the noise to bring our lives into focus: prayer, meditation, journaling, reading, exercising, a hobby you enjoy are things you can do to refine your focus.
Intuition is such a huge part of success!!
I once did a police driving course and one of the things they hammer into you is “Focus on the gap and not the car in front.” In other words, focus on where you want to go and not where you don’t want to go.
Great post topic as ever.
Hi Ralph, Very helpful illustration. Thanks for adding value. Best, Dan
Highly recommended reading for anyone in transition !
Laura:
Great that you put this process into a book and other’s hands. When you are in the woods its hard to see the forest unless you can get outside. I have been through this process personally and do not think you ever ‘finish’. I love your analogies and strategy 3 is crucial. If people take the time to also listen in the conversation they would be amazed in what they can learn! Finally – the other key for me – your point of ‘focus on what you can control’. You cant fix others if you are not fixed first!
Can you get this overseas yet? I live in the UK but will look for the book next week when I am in Miami. Best of luck!!!