It's a Matter of Attention

One of the elements of success in any area of your life is attention. Things that are neglected will not thrive. This applies to your relationships, your career and your avocations. But you already knew that.

What you may not know is that attention is essential not just in the areas of your life that are of most importance to you, but in everything that you do. In order to be successful, you must give each task that you undertake your full, undivided attention. No matter how small or insignificant the task, how you do it is what makes the difference. Very successful people know that everything they do is the most important thing they do.

We tend to disregard tasks that we consider menial or boring and do not put much effort or consciousness into performing them because they “don’t really matter.” It may be true that the end result of a task is not important or consequential; however, the attitude that we bring to any such task – indifference, inattention, rejection – is important. This type of negative mind-set easily spills over into other areas of our work and lives.

Often, our egos cause us to discount certain tasks or jobs because we consider them “beneath” us or not worthy of our attention. If forced to perform this work, we do it reluctantly, with no interest or attention. Perhaps the work is simple and despite our inattention the result is good. However, consider what the result would be if the work were undertaken with our full attention. Would it be not just good, but outstanding? Is it possible that some knowledge or hidden opportunity could come to us if our minds were open to that possibility? Would our lives and the lives of the people around us be better if we undertook that work with a good attitude and happiness rather than with irritability or apathy?

In his book A New Earth – Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, Eckhart Tolle says, “Not what you do, but how you do what you do determines whether you are fulfilling your destiny.” Tolle goes on to say that if you are not doing in a state of either acceptance (of something you dislike), enjoyment (of something you like) or enthusiasm (of working toward a goal), you are creating suffering for yourself and others and your outcome will suffer as a result.

Give it a try. The next time you find yourself mindlessly performing a task or grumbling about something that you don’t like to do, stop and take a minute to readjust your attitude. Be grateful that you are alive and able to physically perform the task. See if by shifting your perspective you are able to find something good in the work, or perhaps a way of improving it.

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson