Focus or Chaos – Which side are you on? - Dave Crenshaw

There is an epic battle raging between two forces. Both sides want control of your time, your energy, your money and your attention.

But who is winning the battle?

Watch this brief video to learn about these two forces influencing your life and your career.

Action Steps:

Watch this video to understand the surprisingly subtle differences between focus and chaos.
Asses yourself on a scale of 0 to 10, zero being absolute chaos and 10 being absolute focus. Then, please share your number in the comments section below.

Principles to Learn:

Dave’s definition for focus is: The STRATEGIC allocation of your resources toward that which is of MOST value.
Dave’s definition for chaos is: The HAPHAZARD allocation of your resources toward that which is of VARIABLE value.
Understanding where you are on the spectrum between chaos and focus is important. It will give you clarity as to the direction your business and career are headed.

http://twitter.com/blenle Belén Montecinos

Thanks for this video, I’ll put my resources and time to the most valuable task, but I thing that first you have to define what are the most valuable things in you life and then put your effort to that.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Absolutely, Belén. In early q2 2013 my next book will be coming out that will guide you through that process.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Thanks, Michael. What do you think is the biggest obstacle in the way of that being a 6?

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Thanks for sharing Micah. What’s one step you could take to move that higher?

http://www.facebook.com/kathleen.whalen.12 Kathleen Whalen

Gladly, I am at least 7.5. Task completion as a daily theme and gingko seem to help, too. Mindfulness facilitates focus.
zalikhan

This was one of the best 2 minutes I have spent in a while where I actually learned something! I am at a 5. Dave, you will ask, “How can it be brought to a 6?” By de-cluttering and organizing the space around me. I will put this definition of focus and chaos around me in strategic places.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Thanks for anticipating the question and responding. Please report back and let us know how that goes!

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Thanks for the video, Dave! I’m in 5 i guess. When I overload with works, I normally distract myself by doing mindless surfing and less important things.

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Interesting… you have too much to do, so you don’t do it and distract yourself with the internet. I think that’s common, and it’s an addiction-cycle type practice.

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Thanks. Can you recommend any books to overcome this type of behaviors?

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Heh. You mean besides The Myth of Multitasking? http://tinyurl.com/mythofmultitasking

I also think you might find The Power of Focus by Les Hewitt and others helpful: http://amzn.to/SfGk60

http://mohamedaslam.com Aslam

Thanks, Dave.
Just now ordered “The Myth of Multitasking”

http://scentseller.com/

I tend to be a 7. I would like to be a 9, accomplishing great things daily with my Scentsy Family Business.
http://twitter.com/MegginMcIntosh Meggin McIntosh

I see in one of your comments that you have a new book coming out! Hooray! And, on any given day, I range from 3 to 8, I’m sorry to say. This has been a wonky year and I’m a bit out of focus, but working on it. Excellent one, Dave!

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Yep, look for it around Q2 2013. Thanks, Meggin!

http://www.facebook.com/el.mcintosh El McIntosh

I would put myself at about a 4-5. I really resonated with your definitions.
thanks
eleanor
Ted Lee Sadler

Excellent Dave! I…um… hang on…….. ok – where was I – oh yes, well, I would say I do range from 1-10 depending on factors. Truth is – Focus is the key – the battle always starts in the mind. We are response-able therefore we are responsible for our function – and function all starts with Focus. Thank you Dave – Great work!
Anne

Dave, you changed my life with your Time Management Fundamentals training video. My house and office are in order. My calendar has 20% of the time blocked off for the most valuable work. So I rate myself a 9 at the moment. My question is about my friend. Is he in focus or chaos? His home and office are cluttered to the point that it approaches a hoarder look. When I suggest using your techniques to find a home for everything, he says it’s not a priority now: he is focused only on getting new business equipment installed right now to bring in immediate money. So he works on that in the midst of the mess. So is he in focus or chaos? Thanks for what you do to help so many!

http://DaveCrenshaw.com/ Dave Crenshaw

Thank you so much Anne! That means a lot to me.

Regarding your friend, sounds like he’s in denial. Desperation perpetuates chaos. So when you use the phrase “immediate money” that means he’s chasing opportunities in the hope that something works out. The only way someone can break that cycle is by stopping, taking a leap of faith, and getting focused. Otherwise they will remain addicted to chaos–always desperate, always searching for the payoff.