Focus on the Route – ElPropósito4 min de lectura

Three elements for moving in the direction we have set for ourselves

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"You must determine where you are going in your life, because you cannot get there unless you move in that direction. Random wandering will not move you forward" (J.B. Peterson). I wanted to open with this line because it’s one of the many I highlighted in 12 Rules for Life. Having given a talk on limiting beliefs this week, a lot comes to mind about the direction our purpose already sets, about limiting beliefs and about the power of focus.

Moving in a chosen direction sounds simple. So how do we start? How do we work out where our true north is pointing, the north we carry deep inside that gives our life meaning? How can we be sure that what we genuinely want is in tune with who we are? Much of the reason we can’t discover what brings us closer to what we truly want is the constant noise that floods in and distracts us.

When we can focus our attention, recognize our own emotions and those of others, and go a little further toward understanding the world around us, we unlock enormous potential. Combined with our intellect, it clarifies the thinking that opens up visions and possibilities of a better future. It’s a constant struggle, and every day (in my case, at least) I try to steer my thoughts back on track again and again. I don’t always win, and distractions may be one of the biggest obstacles on the way to my goals.

From a business point of view, a distracted organization is easy to spot. Its commitments point in every direction, and its decision-makers have little or no clarity about where to direct their efforts, resources and plans. As a result, there’s little accountability to take on, and above all no north, no shared purpose and no values to ground decisions. An organization is made up of human beings with their own aspirations, hopes and purposes, and when so little clarity comes together, nobody can determine where to steer, just as the opening quote says.

Going back to the talk on limiting beliefs, one point stands out. As we move through the jungle toward a goal, the purpose of the journey has to be very clear, along with the vision of what we want to achieve and where we want to be once we get there. We also need to be sure we have the resources to tell whether a rock on the path is truly an obstacle or a great opportunity to take a significant leap forward in life.

Limiting beliefs may be a leader’s biggest distraction. They erode the ability to see clearly the resources at hand, and to a greater or lesser degree the leader passes them on to the people around them, until over time they become "absolute truths". Every day, we need to stay aware of how important it is to focus on what we want to achieve, of the distractions we’re constantly exposed to, and above all of the fact that our Purpose, whatever we’re going through, always points the same way.

Warm regards,

Rodrigo Baccaro

P.S. This week’s VELA:

• What I was Watching: Rafa Nadal reveals the secret of his mental strength. A great interview with an athlete I admire, above all for his simplicity and the clarity of his message in this video. I admit it’s the first time I’ve heard him speak, and I was fascinated by the humility with which he shares everything he knows and what goes through his mind before, during and after a match. A short interview worth watching.
• What I was Listening to: Knowing the mind. From the podcast of Sam Harris, someone I follow and admire more and more. In this interview he talks about meditation, what it is and how it can help us understand our mind.
• What I was Reading: 12 Rules for Life. A great book that, as I’ve mentioned, hasn’t been an easy read. Fortunately I’ve learned a lot from it and found tools that are already serving me in life. I’m on rule ten now, with two to go, and I hope to have a new book in my hands by next Sunday, although the temptation to rush out and buy a paper copy of another one is very strong. (This week I bought one on Kindle that’s more about coaching, and a very good one, by the founder of Success Unlimited Network, the coaching program I trained in and deliver as a coach. It’s called Coaching Demystified: boost your expertise: Self-paced tutorial)
• What I was Learning: The benefits of emotional intelligence for our children. This may be one of the best videos I’ve started the year with. Having read and listened to a lot of Daniel Goleman, I found that this video sums up big lessons on emotional intelligence in very little time, for adults as well as children. Well worth the 27 minutes.

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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