Determination and Focus

The day must go as planned.

Many years ago I received a comment from one of my father’s friend. He said she is determined. Where there is a will, there’s a way. I think of this compliment as one of the most precious motivation that keeps me focused still.

A lot of us look for motivation, and writing something ourselves for others is a form of self-alignment to our goals.

If you ask me what I plan in the next five years, I say nothing much. But if the question is about tomorrow, there are multitudes that I want to accomplish. I need to write, learn, teach and forgive and bask into the sun that is behind all of the life’s charm.

I do not chase fame, money, body, guts. I chase focus. I am determined to focus and achieve fully what I set out to. I falter, procrastinate, near miss most unanswered questions, yet know that such unproductive deals of life will pass by soon so that I gain back my determination.

If you are determined enough, fear of failure goes away. Fear of rejection does not obstruct your way. Remember if not now, then when. The universe will not bend for you, you need to mould yourself. That is why I keep mentioning the niche. My virtual ecosystem has nothing to do with me, it is just a space that I occupy temporarily, even when I have a regular job. I cannot be so attached, life must flow with inputs from all directions, it gives us a variety of options to choose from. And let me suggest, the area for which you are most determined is usually the best choice, it may be harsh, cruel, and dangerous but don’t you realize that life is an adventure?

Lately my focus dwindled. I became uneasy, the mysterious laws of nature reprimanded me from thinking sane. I wasted my quiet hours without fruitions. Something like when the book is open, I am wandering and thinking stuff. But I have overcome, not completely though. The block of mind is self created. Unless I imagine the next day’s task, how will I prepare? Self-doubt creeps in when I perform half heartedly. If this accumulates, I shall only be a mediocre self loathing, guilt prone personality. Every time I straighten up, there is some pressure that makes me bend. I fluctuate. So it is difficult.

I keep repeating to myself when I do not prepare that it is OK. I am being harsh on myself, and this becomes instilled as self-doubt. My need is to my needs. That is focus. Other men and women do not matter. Give them space to be and I am determined to fight this inner battle. The idea is that my true inner self will not lose, will not give in. I am determined. A battle half won.

The age of 22–25 years is the peak age to learn, rest of our life is experience and perseverance. I did what I could do then, and the result today is my knowledge and success.

Cultivating focus is difficult in the beginning of errands. But if you deliberately focus for a few hours each day, it becomes a habit. Its not only to read and write. I gave my full focus today to what my parents said when they called me. I was totally focussed when I discussed things with friends and delivered a lecture to students. We cannot keep living for the sake of it. Focus makes us participate in our life. You become mindful, you enjoy and smile throughout the process.

So let us dig into the ways that make every human focus:

Yoga and meditation- Most of the time I am meditating calmly. When things get tough, I stretch. I breathe. I close my eyes and reflect. I become agitated. This pain makes me feel alive. The pain to feel confiscated by misfortune. By the way I am lucky to know yoga to enjoy the pain. It makes my mind beautiful. It teaches how to bear, how it leads me to become what I want when there are a plethora of opportunities both online and during work hours when ideas flow, only to be captured and put into words.

Enjoying some favorite things and people when feeling exhausted- My brother gave birth to a beautiful daughter. She means “nayamat” to me; God’s bestowed gift. I am freely living in a comfortable abode. I have all amenities. My house is well organized. This has structured my life even further, I plan things like I used to in my formative years and I really enjoy life like this.

Deep thinking- Providing myself 6 hours of sleep and 2 hours of introspection, prepares me, keeps me focused despite all odds and distractions. When alone, the pursuit of happiness becomes entertaining ourselves. This space is shared by you alone and no one else. What best we can do is think, brilliance ensues in our quiet times.

Pamper myself with lavish baths, work outs and massages- There is no conflict between body and mind. A healthy mind is due to a healthy body and a fresh, toned body begets a better problem solving mind. Keep 1 day, in my case a Sunday to rejuvenate.

Do the real work- Just thinking and planning leads us nowhere, materialize it. Work hard…..not hard, smart. This was an eye catcher in my previous 5 years’ old workplace poster, it works. We need time management to do the real work. Anything done in haste is just instant gratification. Stop. Cool down and do the real work. Do what you set out to assertively. You can be of help only if you first help yourself. Neglecting your well-being will make you a scape-goat. If you save time, do not neglect others, why not to give importance to your needs as well. Then only work gets done. Do not fall, or falter. Rise up.

Money management- Revenue is not everything but having some amount of it helps you take risk, and become adventurous. You cannot enjoy a country ride if you keep worrying about car’s fuel, and keep cursing yourself for a bad decision to set out to drive. Focus on the drive happens only when you are not insecure.

Be grateful and gratified at the same time- Count your blessings. Satisfy your gut and thank the means to do so. Indecisiveness sets in only if you are not grateful. For example, if there is conflict in the mind, you project, it means you do not know the truth. You are not in charge of your mind. So you become pathetic. To focus you need some amount of satisfaction. Gratitude could be because of money, family, friends, books that have satisfied you. You are grateful to them and you want to proceed after letting go the conflict, and being OK with not knowing all the answers.

So, be determined to focus everyday, throughout your lifetime to live a large and great life, which your near and dear ones may feel proud of and they may want to be with you because of your positivity and humbleness.