Do you ever feel like you can’t concentrate because you have too many things pulling you in different directions? Emails, client calls, candidate interviews, facebook, Linkedin, bills, kids extra- curricular activities!  The problem in today’s world is that we are so bombarded with distractions and information that our brains can get overloaded and we find it harder to focus. Our overloaded brains are making more errors constantly when burdened with too many inputs and this will impact our success as recruiters. 

The definition of “Attention” comes from the Latin word attendere, which means to reach towards. Attention actually connects us with the world, shaping and defining our experience and provides the mechanism that underlies our awareness of the world and thoughts and feelings. But now partial attention is the norm and it is wreaking havoc on our ability to connect with people and the world. This is a growing concern that also can jeopardize our success as recruiters.

Our focus continually fights distractions both inner and outer but what are our distractions costing us?  As Herbert Simon so wisely put it “Does a wealth of information create a poverty of attention”.

So what are we to do to change things for the better in our own lives and worlds? The exciting news is that we can make lasting changes to increase our focus and become more connected in each moment for greater concentration and success. When you improve your focus and take time to rest your active mind, you conserve your energy and do not waste it on irrelevant thoughts or activities. 

But first, we have to have clear, well thought out goals! To have a goal is like having a road map. It shows you where to go, and where not to go. It provides a focus that otherwise might see you doing things that contribute nothing to your end goal. Amazingly, many people conduct their lives without any personal road map to success. Goals are like a map. They help us determine where we want to end up, and give us personal direction on where to focus our energy.

Once you decide what it is you want, break down each step you need to take and start taking action to achieve it. This “action” is the commitment on your part.  Once you are committed to a goal, really committed, problems are short term. As you re-evaluate your progress towards your goal you will find that you can change some of the action plans to counter any challenges you are facing.  With your entire “focus” on your goal, you will reach levels of achievement that you never thought possible. Remember that without goals, you will end up going nowhere, or, you will end up following someone else’s map.   Bottomline… never lose focus on your end goal. 

Here are some tips to improve focus and achieve your goals:

1.       Plan - Successful people tend to understand the value of a good plan. They plan out their day, their goals for 6 months, 1 year and beyond.  So, stop just focusing on today and think about where you want to be in five, 10 or 15 years down the road! Having a good plan helps focus us in the right direction for success!

2.       Set Small achievable daily Goals - Successful people focus on small achievable action steps to achieve them. Good things only happen to people who make an effort. A part of making an effort is setting goals for oneself.  It’s important to manage time and set short-term and long-term goals in order to be able to track progress and have something to strive for. Write down goals and review them regularly.

3.       Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others - Successful people understand that the only person they can compete with today is the person they were yesterday. They are too focused on themselves and their goals to worry about anyone else. They don’t want to compare themselves to others because it’s energy wasting and counterproductive.  Take time to analyze where you have weak points relative to others for improvement and self-growth. Genuinely admire and learn from people who have mastered things that you are working on mastering!! Reach out to possible mentors to see if they offer you a tip for faster success in reaching your goals.

4.       Learn from failures - Successful people learn from their failures, but they do not live in the past. They take the skills and lessons they acquired from their failures and apply them to the present and future.  So don’t define yourself by mistakes or past results but rather by who you are today and whom you are working toward becoming.

5.       Rest and Renewal - Successful people take time to rest and recharge their energy.  Too much work without rest can cause anxiety and stress. Studies have shown that those that take a vacation and come back refreshed, performance improves.

Remember that according to a quote by Anthony Robbins… “We’ve got to remember that we get whatever we focus on in life. If we keep focusing on what we don’t want, we’ll have more of it. The first step to creating any change is deciding what you do want so that you have something to move toward.”

“Our thoughts create our reality - where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.” ~Peter McWilliams

“The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Strengthen your concentration and focus and achieve your recruitment dreams!!