Skip to main content

The Second Obstacle

When we wrote about the first obstacle last week it only took that much time to surface the second obstacle.  If you didn’t get a chance to see the first one, find it here.  Basically we unraveled the conversation around having a clear and compelling outcome.  Without it, you’re doomed to consistent feelings of failure.  

What do you think happens when we write down our outcomes?  Do you typically just go after it?  If so, how long does that level of intensity last before you begin to re-address that outcome?  In my experience, it's only about a week or two before I start rethinking things.  Maybe it’s longer for you, but for me I find myself looking at other options.  

I noted last week that I recently took on over 70 real estate agents to Coach and this second obstacle has already begun to surface.

​Let’s face it, we live in a stimulus-rich environment.  There’s pings, blips, dots, reels, posts, on and on.  So much is vying for your attention, life becomes a game of competing urgencies.  Within seconds, you can research any given subject and get sucked into an overwhelming amount of tips, tricks, ideas, theory, and even rock-solid strategies.   And with so many ways to win, the avalanche of suggestions creates confusion and paralyzation.  When we focus on everything, we accomplish nothing! 
What is the second obstacle?  Focus.  More specifically, a fractured focus.  

"Focus for most people is a concept and not an activity" - Gary Keller in an interview about his book "The ONE Thing". 

A fractured focus is like looking into a kaleidoscope.  Colorful.  Vibrant.  Fun to move around and see if you can make out what the picture looks like.  And yet, it is super difficult to get any kind of forward momentum without bumping into something.  But, what’s the solution?  Especially if we took the time to clarify our outcomes?  What causes the fractures?  

Focus is a habit.  Focus is an action.  Focus takes practice.  Focus takes training.  Focus takes consistency.  Focus warrants protection.  

The most fundamental piece in most of my conversations is the direction of focus.  It is our mind’s natural habit to search and find what we need to move away from.  Moving away is not the direction of focus that top performers use.  Top performers focus on what they are moving toward. When I make statements like this in our Momentum Weekend Events, participants will usually begin to stir in their head…  “Is this positive mental psychology?” “Are you saying I should ignore the threats?” “Do you believe that we can wish away all the bad stuff?” … 

Understand something… there is a difference between Focus and Awareness.  If I am going to grow a rose, then my focus is on the rose.  My awareness is on the weeds.  My dominant energy will go in providing what the rose needs to grow.  When my awareness exposes weeds, I rip them out of the ground with fury.  Where we go wrong is when we focus on the weeds and keep our awareness on the possibility of a rose growing.  You might just end up with daisy and just accept that as all you wil ever get.  That’s a tragedy if a rose is what you really wanted.  

Start asking yourself the question, what am I really after right now?  In THIS moment.  What is the outcome I am moving toward?  Ask the question every time you feel like you are drifting from your clear and compelling outcome.  

Let me know how that works.  

About Spencer Combs:

Spencer Combs is a business leader and author of Momentum and Mastery: The Business Leader's Guide to Fastrack Unshakeable Profit, Productivity, and Purpose. With a passion for helping others transform their challenges into opportunities, Spencer offers unique insights through his events, coaching programs, and daily text messages.


Take the Next Step:


Connect with Spencer: www.spencercombs.com/social 


Contact Us: info@spencercombs.com 

Comments

Post a Comment

Here's what others like you are reading:

Beyond Right and Wrong: The Power of Asking This Instead

Good morning from Raleigh! Happy Thursday, let's talk about a subtle shift in perspective that can have a big impact on our decision-making and interactions: Rather than thinking right or wrong, choose to look at effective and ineffective. We're often conditioned to frame things in binary terms: this is the right way, that's the wrong way. This can lead to rigid thinking, unnecessary conflict, and a resistance to exploring alternative approaches. But the world, especially the world of business, is rarely black and white. What truly matters isn't whether something aligns with a preconceived notion of "rightness," but whether it actually works . Is it achieving the desired outcome? Is it moving you closer to your goals? Is it fostering positive results? Think about it: Marketing strategies: Instead of arguing about which approach is inherently "right," focus on which one is generating the most leads and conversions. Team dynamics: Instead of labeli...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Unfinished Game: Why Today's Score Isn't the Final Tally

Spencer here again with another daily dose, from Virginia Beach, VA. The day's wins might feel good. The sting of a setback might linger. But here's a quiet truth worth holding onto: Just because you are winning doesn't necessarily mean you have won. And just because you might be losing, doesn't mean you have completely lost. Today's tally is just that: today's. The game isn't over. The story continues. We get seduced by the immediate feedback loop. A big sale? We're on top. A lost client? We're doomed. But these are often just blips on a longer radar. Winning today can breed complacency. A belief that the momentum is automatic, that the hard work is done. But the market shifts. Competitors adapt. Complacency is the slow leak that sinks even the most buoyant ship. And losing today? It can feel like the end. The final curtain. But often, it's just a data point. A course correction. A chance to learn, to pivot, to come back stronger. The greatest c...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Growth Ripple: Why Your Evolution Will Reshape Your Relationships

Good morning from Claxton, GA! As we kick off a new week, let's talk about a natural consequence of personal and professional growth that often surprises people: When you choose to grow, people around you will either step up or step out. Think about it. Growth isn't a solitary journey. As you evolve, your perspectives change, your priorities shift, and your energy levels may adjust. This creates a subtle but powerful ripple effect on the relationships in your life. Some people in your inner circle will be inspired by your growth. They'll be excited to see you expand your horizons and achieve new things. They'll step up, offering support, encouragement, and perhaps even embarking on their own growth journeys alongside you. These are the relationships that often deepen and become even more meaningful. However, others may find your growth challenging. Perhaps your new direction doesn't align with their own comfort zones or expectations. They might feel left behind, or ...
Post a Comment
Read more