Where's Your Focus?
Focusing on what you "shouldn't do" is not the same as focusing on what you "should do".
Did our meme make you laugh? Show us by giving this article a “like” or click of the share button at the bottom of page.
We’ll also send you more funny memes each Wednesday morning 8:00 am EST if you subscribe below.
“I am not going to hit the piece of tire”.
This is what I told myself as I drove down the freeway at 65 mph. I could see the rubber in front of me. It sat to the left side of my lane, in the way of my driver’s side tires. I had plenty of room to my right, so veering slightly to avoid hitting the 8 inch piece of rubber would be easy. There were no walls or cars around me to box me in.
I focused on the rubber. I was getting close.
“I am not going to hit you”, I said again.
“THWOMP!”
That was the sound of the tire flying hard into the underside of my car. I hit the debris. I was embarrassed and frustrated.
Not many days later, I found myself in an almost identical situation. This time, I put my focus on the empty space surrounding the debris. I passed by without incident.
I have learned that when I put my focus on NOT hitting the debris, I am still psychologically focused on the debris. I naturally drive right toward it. Instead, I now put my focus on the clear space in front of me, and my hands naturally turn the wheel to get me to where I am focusing - which is away from the debris.
Focus At Work
Let’s apply this principle to work.
Have you ever put so much focus on NOT making a mistake, that you actually made the mistake you told yourself you wouldn’t make?
As a 16-year old, I worked at Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Southern Utah. Blue Bunny Headquarters was over 1,200 miles away in Iowa. We had an executive from HQ pay our parlor a visit.
My boss told me to make a Banana Split. She then added, “Make this the best Banana Split of your life. No mistakes. It is going to someone that is visiting from HQ.”
I understood the assignment. I got to work.
“Don’t mess up. Don’t mess up. Don’t mess up.”
This was the chant that repeated through my mind. I dished up the perfect scoops of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream. I artistically drizzled strawberry topping, pineapple topping, and chocolate sauce over the top. The final touch was completed with 3 perfect dollops of whipped cream, some crushed peanuts, and a maraschino cherry on top.
Just as I finished, my boss walked up to collect the dish. I was beaming. This was truly the most impressive Banana Split I had ever made. I knew I had done our little shop proud.
Not 2 minutes later, my boss was back by my side remaking the Banana Split.
“What’s wrong”, I asked. “That was the best Banana Split I have ever made.”
She looked at me, irritation flashing across her face.
“You didn’t put any banana on it.”
Finding focus is important, especially within your work. But if you are focusing on the wrong things, you may be causing self-harm.
If you lack confidence in your position, stop coming to work thinking,
“I am not going to mess up today.”
“I am not adding value to the company.”
“I am going to get fired.”
The list could go on and on.
Change your focus. Focus on more positive thoughts:
“I am going to do my best today.”
“I am going to complete my tasks, which will add value to the company.”
“I am going to demonstrate my worth to my boss and peers.”
Changing your focus isn’t going to ensure that you are never laid off, that you never make a mistake, or that you never work on projects that lack value. But, unlike when I focused on the negative viewpoints from my stories above, only to ‘manifest’ the negative impact into existence, you can avoid these manifestations by having a positive focus on your work.
Next time you find yourself feeling anxious, worried, depressed, or scared at work, follow these steps:
Stop what you are doing.
Think through your recent thoughts.
Add a positive spin.
Get back to work.
It will make a difference.
Did you like the article? Show us by giving this article a “like” or click of the share button below. This is what helps us know if we are making the right content.
We’ll also deliver more funny memes attached to newsletters every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am ET when you subscribing below: