By Alecia Swoope

It’s that time of the year—the “new year, new you” starts to fade and old habits that die hard gain new life. While New Year's resolutions are well intended, focus is an element that we can’t gloss over. So, consider this your quarterly focus check. When I hear the word focus, I think of a camera. The focus feature on a camera makes necessary adjustments to capture an object at maximum sharpness. Although the subject is the focal point, the focus feature is less about the subject and more about the space and distance around the subject. The surroundings of any subject can either enhance or diminish its purpose.

Consider the plans and goals you set as you entered this new year and decade. What surrounds your subject, or goals? What adjustments do you need to make in order to continue to achieve maximal sharpness or productivity? 

Here are a few questions to consider while you sharpen the focus of your aspirations and goals:

1. Do you really believe in it or was it an idea that sounded good for a moment?

2. Is it attainable in the time frame you set or should you reassess? A goal without a deadline is a dream.

3. What accountability systems do you have to keep you responsible toward your commitments?

4. What elements surround your goals that enhance or diminish its sharpness? 

5. Are there habits or beliefs that you have that are keeping you from optimal productivity? 

6. Does your schedule need adjusting to reflect and align with your priorities?  

7. Are there people who should have less access to you?  

8. Do you need to modify the pace you are moving toward your goals? 

Yes, I’m asking a lot of questions, but your goals are worth the reflection and the work. These questions are meant to help you get clarity and thus, maximal sharpness. Questions help us clarify our focus.

Let’s look at this through another lens, a personal lens. I have been having migraines and my mother implored me to get my eyes checked. I finally went to the optometrist. Being that I have never had glasses, I assumed I would walk out like I walked in—with 20/20 vision and no need for vision assistance. I was sadly mistaken. As I went through the pre-exam, the lady assisting me actually laughed and told me I could look for frames as I was waiting to see the doctor. I went in to see the doctor and after viewing a series of different shapes and letters, he customized a low prescription for me and showed me the difference between no prescription and his recommendation. I was astounded and almost dumbfounded at how clear I could see. Needless to say, I wear glasses now. I walked away from that appointment and reflected on how we think we see life through an uncompromising lens; yet, what we see can be deeply flawed. It’s not until we assess what we are seeing that we can adjust what needs correction. Our tendency to normalize dysfunction and rely on untrustworthy things is scary.

After you have done the work of assessment and reflection, you may still find your focus fading. At that point, sometimes you just have to gas yourself up. What you believe about yourself is bound to make its way into what you pursue as well as how you pursue. Our beliefs drive our behavior. What do you believe about yourself?  Reaffirm and remind yourself of who you are and what you are capable of. You’re amazing and were put on this earth on purpose, for a purpose. You are power, you are light, you are love, you are BOMB!

Remember: maximal sharpness is the goal. Reject and correct everything that hinders your focus, including the unfocused parts of you.

Alecia Swoope is a writer and speaker who’s passionate about teaching and supporting people to be their best self. Stay connected with her on IG @msans7 and Facebook by name.