7 quotes from successful people that prove the importance of focus

Wednesday September 13, 2017 , 3 min Read

Focus is often the most stressed-upon requirement at work and the least adhered to. Incidentally, it could also be the one dividing line between success and failure. It’s interesting to note that many skillful people lose out on great opportunities because they fail to focus with intent and pleasure. Yes, focus with pleasure is a pre-requisite to success. Without pleasure, focus cannot exist. If you think you are focused because you have mortgages to pay or a bossy boss, you need to think again. True focus comes from enjoying what you do – that includes being in the right company (pun intended), and knowing that your contribution matters.

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In our modern epoch of multiple distractions, true focus might seem an insurmountable task. But we must learn. It could take months, even years, but it’s an effort worth indulging in and a practice worthy of pursuit. To be able to focus – on what we study, teach, learn, and ultimately do – is the basis of who we become as humans. A successful individual is a focused individual first, and the same goes for a happy one. A happy individual may or may not focus on the same things as a successful one, but the common thread to both states of mind is the same – FOCUS.

Here are seven quotes by people who made focus their business and pleasure. Read them whenever you lack the willingness or a reason to stay focused.

Eckhart Tolle | Author

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.

Paulo Coelho |Author

Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate, and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.

Alexander Graham Bell |Scientist and Innovator

Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.

Steve Jobs |American entrepreneur

That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.

Anil Ambani |Chairman of Reliance Group

Concentration can be cultivated. One can learn to exercise willpower, discipline one’s body, and train one’s mind.

Oprah Winfrey |American media proprietor

Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.

Henry David Thoreau |American essayist

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?

Remember, achieving focus is only half the battle won. Maintain that determination and clarity, and even the most insurmountable of challenges will become much more achievable.