The Right Focus Can Change the Game
Are you focused? Is it the right focus? Many people are uncertain about those questions. A big driver of focus is certainty.
It seems that there is a lot of uncertainty. An election year and the chaos of a worldwide pandemic has many people scratching their heads. They’re uncertain.
Uncertain about what is next, what to do, or which direction to turn, they don’t know how to play the game.
As a kid a remember someone breaking out a board game. Often the first question was, “How do you play?” Then the last question before getting started probably was, “What are the rules?”
It was true on the playground, even for games like chase, or some version of football or kickball. Dodgeball had its boundaries and maybe an occasional exception.
Sometimes the rules were made up as you played, sometimes they were written on the box, or provided as a paper insert. And still, sometimes they were modified to meet the circumstances.
Then there was the ending of the game. It wasn’t uncommon to hear accusations of cheating. Tommy didn’t play fair, Jimmy cheated, or Sue didn’t follow the rules.
It was all fun and games until the focus deteriorated.
Right Focus
All grown up and being in the game of business or life, cheaters are typically not welcomed. The casino doesn’t like cheating. Football and baseball don’t like cheating, and neither does the IRS.
When everyone stays within the boundaries the game is more enjoyable. People engage because they see how they can participate and improve their skills or make better decisions to be more successful.
You might suggest that they are focused.
When you hear the phrase, “Be a team player.” it just might make sense to be sure you understand the rules.
Everything else is chaos.
Focus on ways to contribute to the system instead of breaking rules.
You may sometimes need to alter the system, yet no one really appreciates people who try to cheat it.
Having the right focus helps.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
