Focus For Results
I enjoy watching sports. I also like eating chocolate.
One of the things that impresses me the most about athletes is the single minded dedication they give to their sport, committing their entire being towards the achievement of a singular goal.
As I reflected on the images of athletes competing in the Olympic games, I wondered what the opposite image of this single minded dedication would be? The image that came to mind was a “Pick & Mix” candy store! (Did I mention I like chocolate?)
The image of a ‘kid in a candy store’ wantonly picking out their favourite sweet treats so they can dose up on sugar, just seems so perfectly opposite to the dedicated, committed and focussed life of an olympic athlete.
While the contrast is stark, probably most of us might fall somewhere in between these extremes at different times. A little indulgence every now and then is ok I’m sure (especially during lockdowns!), and athletes that train and compete without attention to other aspects such as their mental health can come unstuck. However, the overall point remains - if you want to achieve something significant or live a life of purpose, you will need to spend more effort being focussed on the right things, and less time at the candy store.
I have recently finished re-reading the excellent book “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown with a group of friends. The sub-title of the book is “the disciplined pursuit of less” which he contrasts with our frequent tendency to to go for the ‘undisciplined pursuit of more’ (like a kid in the candy store). I referred to this in my article “Purpose, Priorities and Practices” but today I want to explore a different angle on it. While I think focussing for results is true personally, I believe as leaders, the same principles can also be applied to the organisations we lead.
Organisational Candy
As leaders we can sometimes lead our organisations into the candy store for the “undisciplined pursuit of more”. We can become attracted to the bright lights of new ideas, the latest technology and the frequent tendency to expand our activities into areas that are really outside our core expertise, but which seemed like a good idea at the time. This overreach has hurt many companies and nonprofits as it either stretches their resources too far, or leads them too far from their core purpose.
Jim Collins also writes about this in his book “How the Mighty Fall”, where he talks about the ‘hubris born of success’ and also the ‘undisciplined pursuit of more’. No matter how large or mighty an organization or company might be, they can fall for the same old candy. Sometimes it is the very ‘largeness’ or success of an organization that can blind it to its own demise. That's hubris.
So how can we prevent this?
Focus
I believe a key part of the answer lies in focus. Like an athlete we can learn to say ‘No’ to the candy store, and stick to our core focus.
Organizations that focus and are clear on their core purpose, passion and goals, can use these like a north star to prevent the temptation to drift into the candy store.
When I was leading a national organization people would often come and suggest we could do this or that. Personally I can be quite attracted to the latest new idea or strategy, so it takes discipline to evaluate new ideas against our core focus and purpose. I must have grown to be okay at it as one staff member referred to me as “Dr No”!
As leaders we do need to promote innovation and creativity and be ready to start new things, so we don't want to go to the extreme of not pursuing fresh opportunities. However, it is important to discern whether new ideas are going to move us forward in a focussed way, or distract us from what we are called to do.
Pruning
Inevitably, elements will creep in and good organisations and companies will attract new ideas, and this means we need to enter seasons of pruning.
Jesus tells the story in John 15 the gardener pruning his trees for greater fruitfulness:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful”
(John 15:1-2)
Like good gardeners, as leaders we need to periodically evaluate our activities and projects and be willing to prune away the excess elements that inevitably creep into our program. After all, we were born to bear fruit, not just grow leaves.
Go for Gold!
A little chocolate can be good for the soul, but it's not a complete diet.
If we truly want to live a life of significance and impact, or lead our organizations toward a winning strategy and stay focussed on our mission, then we need to look more to the focus and discipline of the olympic athlete, and less at the sweet treats of the candy store. As hard as that is.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest” Hebrews 12:11 (The Bible)
I’d like to encourage you to go for gold! Focus your efforts for greater results and fruitfulness.
Perhaps take a few minutes now to evaluate and reflect on your organisation and professional priorities to help ensure you are on track for your goals and mission.
Questions for reflection:
Perhaps it is time for an audit or your organization or company:
What elements or activities may have crept in that are drawing away your core focus? Where is some pruning needed?
What innovative new project or opportunity do you face? Will it move you ahead in your mission? Or is it a distraction?
Where might you be at risk of the ‘hubris of success’? Is it possible you are blinded to some weakness by the apparent success of your efforts?