How to Control Your Attention | Virtue
Article Summary
The eleventh principle of Napoleon Hill's 17 principles of success is Controlled Attention and it is week 4 in our virtue-building program.
When we chose our major purpose or definite chief aim then we select an object of our controlled attention. People say, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” But we have to put all our eggs in one basket and concentrate our attention to protect that basket.
Controlled attention is the process of directing our focus toward a desired end. It is an important aid for other success principles suggested by Napoleon Hill.
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Concentration on a single idea can give us massive success. Tesla Motors is a manufacturer of Electric vehicles. By concentrating its energy (pun intended) on electric vehicle manufacturing, in less than a decade it has made a great fortune for Elon Musk and other stakeholders.
Whatever your dream, goal, or vision, controlled attention to your major purpose is extremely important. By focusing on controlled attention, you will condition your mind to attract only desired things and smartly eliminate distractions.
By having controlled attention, you can completely eliminate conflicting emotions like self-doubt, envy, greed, jealousy, and hatred. Hence, you will be in a better position to control your attention towards a definite major purpose.
Benjamin Franklin is known for his many accomplishments, including his development of a set of virtues that he used to guide his behavior and improve himself. One of the virtues he identified was "order," which he defined as "letting everything have its own place." This virtue is closely related to the idea of "controlled attention," as it requires the ability to focus one's attention on the task at hand, rather than allowing oneself to be distracted by other things.
If you're interested in building a virtue of controlled attention like Franklin did, there are a few things you can try:
Set Clear and Specific Goals
Set SMART goals to clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and achieve what you want at work and in life.
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time-bound
Break large tasks into smaller more manageable chunks.
When you break your goals down it makes you less likely to procrastinate, which means you take action. Then this helps build momentum. And piecing out your goals improves your time management.
This will make it easier to stay focused on the task at hand and not get overwhelmed.
Eliminate Distractions
I know this should be obvious for controlled attention but in today’s world of the web it is a tangled one indeed. Try using apps that help you keep disturbances to a minimum. Close unnecessary tabs on your computer. And even try working in a quiet workspace.
Use the Pomodoro Technique.
This is a time management method that involves breaking your work into short focused intervals (usually 25 minutes) with short breaks in between. This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
This technique is helpful in ending procrastination. It wil supercharge your workday routine. You'll be able to dive into deep flow-based work and create your ideal, distraction-free work environment.
I invite you to research Pomodoro Technique Apps on your smartphone for the best help with this method.This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout. To me, that is one of the healthy habits that will help you all day long!
Take regular breaks
It's important to give your brain a break so that it doesn't get tired. Take a short walk, stretch or do something completely different. Of course you know I am going to say this, “take a walk in nature.” This is a great reset button and a great way to keep that focus on track.
For some inspiration let me share with you Charles Darwin's thinking path:
While working on his famous theory of evolution, Charles Darwin took a daily walk, to exercise his mind and body, to think, and to observe. Walking the same route each day from his house, through shady woods and back along a privet and hazel hedge-lined field, Darwin referred to this as his 'thinking path'.
Where will your thinking path be? It will prove to be one of those good habits to get into on a regular basis and help you control that attention like a pro!
Self-Discipline
It is helpful to develop a strong sense of self-discipline. Stick to your goals and persevere through the difficulties that you will face. This will help you develop the habit of controlled attention over time.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the state of being present and fully engaged in the current moment. It can be helpful to practice mindfulness to improve focus and concentration.
The Basics of Mindfulness Practice
Set aside some time daily.
Observe the present moment as it is.
Let your judgments roll by.
Return to observing the present moment as it is.
Be kind to your wandering mind.
Reward Yourself
When you implement rewards for yourself when you have completed a task or a period of time focused you will find the motivation to continue the maintained focus.
In Conclusion
Remember that building a virtue like controlled attention takes time and practice, and you will likely encounter setbacks along the way. Be patient with yourself and keep working towards your goal.
Here are some quotes and inspiration for this week. Also included in your downloads.
By adopting a definite major purpose, you have selected an object on which you have to focus your controlled attention.
Forget the old saying “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” You have to put all your eggs in one basket
and concentrate your attention on protecting that basket and getting it to the market.
Controlled attention is the act of coordinating all the faculties of the mind and directing their combined power to a given end. It is both an outgrowth of many of the other principles of success and an important aid to them.
The Power of Controlled Attention: Concentration upon a single idea has been the hallmark of success for countless people and organizations.