“Do not pick bird nests on the way, when you are going to a city full of birds.” – Akan proverb The world loves action oriented individuals. And more often than not we are spurred to take action. It is true we need to take action. It energises us kicks us into the ‘always-on’ mode where our instincts are sharpened. Action is the breath of productivity, but not every act enhances our competency. When our environment communicates with us, it allures us with a mixture of motions and commotions. Many of these are quite suggestive. They woo us with a stir a craving, inspiring us to aspire for them. And this helps us to create our consciousness. As we do so, we surround ourselves with ideas, activities and material possessions. Some of them are a result of fads, other the result of desire. Whatever it is, life cannot be fully appreciated if we walk around with our eyes cast down. We must have a broader approach to living in order to develop an outlook of possibilities. But the reality is that most of the ideas, activities and material possessions that we surround ourselves with can at best be described as distractions. As we indulge in them, we take our eyes of what we are supposed to actually do. What is worse, these distractions create the illusion that every point in time, we have more than more than one or two activities that we urgently have to attend to. Therefore, we try to outsmart ourselves by bundling up two or three activities at the same time. In all sincerity, we are simply obsessing ourselves with activities that sap on our energies. And that does not necessarily contribute positively towards making us efficient. In the end, it reduces the quality of all our outputs. Unconsciously, a surprising number of us get carried away by these alluring attractions. We let our efforts wonder from one idea to the next. This not only sap our energies, but actually break them up as we strive to grab and fulfill as many of these distractions in as many possible ways as we can. The downside of all these attractions and distractions is that they never last more than a season. One moment, we hanker after them and the next moment we have no use for them. A new trend always rears its head to make the present cherishment unfashionable and unwanted. That is why you are being counseled to focus. It’s good to act on your ideas and ideals. But the best action is actually focusing on one action at a time in order to output the great efficiency. The objective is to channel your energies with a singleness of purpose. This not only brings out the fullness of your capabilities, but it helps you to manage your time and efforts. Focusing is a reflective art that builds on your fortitude. It enables you to delay gratification in order to build a strong foundation. It sharpens your abilities and allows you to measure progress. It allows you to discard the maze of distractions. And most importantly, it enhances your productive levels. To be focused entails chewing over one and only one idea or activity at a time. The strategy here is, when you activate an action; you must view it as the most important thing that has to be done. That allows you to concentrate all your efforts on it. It deters other interests and strengthens your resolve. And this prevents your mind from wondering about one alluring attraction to the temptation of another. I am sure you have experienced the depressive mood the mind gets into when you do not give your 100% effort in any activity. Well, focusing helps to eliminate that. This is because you give your all on what you do. And this comes with a ‘feel good’ factor that helps to highlight the positive and the good strides you make. It helps you to embrace yourself and project yourself cheerfully. Being focused helps you to pull off one of the greatest achievements, a self-controlling posture. It helps you to battle the constant urges to try out new things or to bundle activities together. But more importantly, it allows you to channel all your energies into whatever you are doing. Such a pose allows you to control yourself. It suppresses anxiety and makes you attentive to what you are doing. Focusing is the magnet that enhances your prowess.