Focus

(Summary) Focus by Daniel Goleman

As I read books/articles that are relevant to your business, I'll summarize them specifically for the hospitality industry as "Coles notes".

With our busy lives filled with multiple attention-robbing devices, our focus is at a deficit. In Goleman's book Focus he asserts, "Getting a job done well requires applying concentration, for instance, while creative insights flow best when we are in a loose, open awareness. Our focus matters immensely in everything we do: the better we can pay attention, the more excellent the results – again in everything from learning to leadership."

According to Goleman, the three types of focus includes:

"Inner" focus includes being self-aware and self-disciplined. Controlling the inner voice is key, as our wandering minds and self-talk are more dangerous in diverting our attention than any other noise surrounding us. Practicing mindfulness (meditation and breathing) will help reduce stress and control your attention. Also, spending time on acute-focus activities (e.g. basketball, yoga, rock-climbing and tennis) helps build the right muscles in your brain and rejuvenate your focus at work.

"Outer" focus is being empathetic towards others. This is the number one skill for leaders right now and in the future. Stephen R. Covey's book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" have been prescribing this philosophy since 1989. Practice the mindset of understand before being understood towards your staff and customers to achieve a higher outer focus.

"Other" focus is taking a 30,000 feet view of your business and being strategic about how to be different. Steve Job's philosophy of "The ultimate sophistication is simplicity" was his winning strategy for Apple, that is, saying no more than saying yes.

Your attention is diverted in multiple places the moment you wake up by "putting-out-fires". You should be known as the CEO of your business, that is, Chief Emergency Officer. We were led to believe that multi-tasking is a premium skill set but Goleman suggests that by single-tasking, that is focusing on one specific task at a time with no disruptions, we'll become far more productive. Studies have shown that every time we "switch" our attention from one task to another, it requires 10-15 minutes to refocus on the original task. Think about all the distractions each day, from social media, text messages, phone calls, staff, suppliers, customers, bank to accountants. Before you start your day, make a list of things you need to accomplish and how much time to complete each task; stick to it. The idea is for you to become more proactive and less reactive to the firefight-of-the-day.