There is information all around us. It comes in at such a frantic pace that our brains are actually better at ignoring things than paying attention to them. So attention becomes a skill that needs to be developed and honed for the specific needs of a person. A woodsman can see a certain type of scratches on tree bark and know that a bear may be lurking nearby. An economist can see a combination of movements within the markets and know that a crash is coming. We don’t need to know it all and in fact we can’t! Just because our brains are set up to ignore the majority of the information that comes in, doesn’t mean that autopilot is the best strategy.
Our brain is always trying to be efficient. So it only pays attention to the things that it has been told are important. It also tends to lose focus on things if they’re viewed as handled. What are the things that need your focus this week? Maybe they’re different than last week. That special situation needs attention. Or that thing that you’ve thought was settled needs to be tweaked. What indicators of success should you be looking for? Do you know whether you’re getting closer or farther aways from your big goals? Are there any signals of danger than you should be noticing? The scratches on a tree that an expert would recognize. Do you need someone from outside of your own brain to look at the situation?
When you don’t see the signals, they’re easy to ignore. A red light at an intersection is invisible, if the right distraction comes along. What do you truly want from tomorrow? This week? This month? This year? Then pay attention!
“There is no spoon.”
Pete
Huryk Unlimited 