Where’s Your Focus

It’s the beginning of a new week and we have the choice of where to put our focus. As you start your week, where is your focus?

Rather than zeroing in on your to-do list/s or the next thing on your calendar, why not pause a moment, shift from the usual way of doing things, and focus on the impact you can make. Small or large. You know, when you take the time to intentionally acknowledge the person next to you in line as you wait for your coffee, or the stressed out cashier at the grocery store, or the elderly person that you normally walk around so that you don’t have to move so slow, you could actually be impacting a life in ways far greater than you realize.

People are lonely. And fearful. And stressed. Why not take just one extra minute to show you care. No, you are not too busy for that. None of us are. We are just too self-engaged, and probably need a shift of perspective as much as anyone. I mean, who really wakes up and says they only want to think about themselves today? That’s not at the heart of who we are, even if it has become our habit.

Life is not meant to be a series of get-er-done’s. Life is about people. And while we all have things we need to get done, without people there is nothing to do. Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless. Those are some of my favorite words from Mother Teresa. So value those you come in contact with today. Value those that are part of your team…or class…or neighborhood.

Take the time to know what is going on in the lives of the people sitting around your conference table. Smile, compliment, speak an encouraging word or genuinely inquire about someone’s welfare. Maybe even slow down and walk beside that elderly person, talk to them, and learn a few things. Have you ever thought that you might be the only person in an entire day…or week…or month…that takes the time to notice that person you see? Why not share an authentic gesture of kindness?

Let the impact potential inside of you come out of you today, and watch your world become a better place. Your world, their world, our world. Will you invest a minute? Take the challenge! After all, if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. And we could all use some change.

Brenda Harkins mines the gold in people to help them clearly see their talent, identify their purpose and unleash potential to navigate their unique success. Brenda is a Life and Leadership Coach in her own organization, as well as with The John Maxwell Team and CoreClarity. She is a Public Speaker, Author, Mediator, Entrepreneur, and President of The Harkins Group, Inc. You can connect with Brenda at brenda@brendaharkins.com or find out more at https://brendaharkins.com.