Think Like a Juggler - Lesson One (of a series)

Let's face it; life is moving at a faster pace than at any other time in human history. Because of the abundance of available resources, we face enormous demands, both external and self-imposed, to do more, be more, have more, and matter more than we ever have before. If you have ever been to one of my Success in Action presentations, you know first hand that I relate this predicament to the visual metaphor of juggling. Like an expert juggler, we are expected to masterfully handle it all . . . and make it look easy.

When I was eleven years old, I was fortunate to learn to juggle from a real pro. By developing performance expertise over the years, I have been able to grow my confidence, start a business, pay for college, travel the world and meet many wonderful people, including my wife, Sheilia. But, more than that, the study of juggling, coupled with the study of motivation and human performance, has taught me extraordinary life lessons. This knowledge has helped me enormously, and I believe it will also help you to find your focus while stretching your limits.

This series of Action Mail newsletters will focus each issue on a key skill you must master to get the most out of your actions and live a life of joy and accomplishment. To start off, let's talk about your focus.

Keep Looking Up

"What's the secret to juggling?" I'm often asked. Some people think there is a "trick" involved, like a magician's sleight of hand, and that once the secret is revealed, anyone can do it with ease. That's not true, of course. To learn to juggle (with balls or with life's objectives) takes practice and repetition. But the first lesson is as simple as it is critical to your success: keep looking up!

In order to manage multiple objectives, you must develop the discipline to focus up toward where you want the throws to go. These are your goals, your performance targets, your core beliefs, and the essential ingredients of a fulfilling life. Look up to see what is possible. Look up before you take action to engage your mind and body and increase the likelihood of your success.

This sounds simple, but it goes against human nature. We tend to look down. We look down at our past accomplishments and feel proud of what we have already done. The problem is, while focusing on our previous successes we miss valuable opportunities to grow. We also look down to contemplate the challenges we are facing, or are about to face. We stare down our challenges and dwell on how much effort it will take to overcome them.

Trey Smith, expert mountain bike rider, offered this advice about racing through the woods: "If you look at the tree, you've already hit it, dude. The trick is to look around the tree and keep your focus down the path." Only by looking up can we see what is possible. Only by looking up can we understand the "pattern" of how all the objects (objectives) support one another. And, only by looking up, can you inspire those around you to see your vision of the future and take action.

Ideas into Action

1. What is it you are really trying to achieve? Get specific. Write down your goals, then refine them, prioritize them and choose the three most important goals in your life right now. You might also want to identify your core beliefs to get crystal clear about what is most important in your life and why?
2. What causes you to lose sight of these goals? Is it past achievements? Daily distractions? Obsolete habits? Identify the chief threats that tend to steal your focus. Then, develop a strategy to remind yourself of what matters most, even in the midst of life's activity.
3. What "trees" have you been looking at lately? How can you, instead, look past those challenges and envision a solution that lies "down the path?"

All the best of success with your juggling act. Keep looking up!

Dan

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