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Focus, Focus, Focus...

© Stuart Bourhill

In the mantra of most of today's empowering executives come the words, "focus, focus, focus." Indeed this is represented in the increasing specialization of companies in terms of the types of products and services they offer to a given set of markets. The growth of outsourcing and strategic partnerships clearly identifies the source as one of FOCUS!

A young man, standing a distance from the target with bow in hand was asked to string an arrow and state what he saw. The man said, "I see the target, the trees, the sky, and the grass." The instructor asked him to FIRE. The arrow went skyward and missed the target. A young woman, with bow in hand, was asked to string an arrow and state what she saw. She said, "I see the center of the target and that is all." The instructor asked her to FIRE. The arrow hit the bullseye!

With ever-increasing demands on our time, we must learn to focus! Put your eggs in one basket and watch them. It is better to be a master of one trade than a jack of none.

So how do we do this?

It is important to set very clear goals and objectives. The acronym SMART is often used - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. Communication of these goals and of the demands on individual's time can lead to the achievement of these goals. Teamwork is the key to success!

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