THE 15 MINUTE MARKETER:
“Think Only of Cutting”
by Nancy Gerber
We are a society of multi-taskers. We talk on the phone while we make dinner while we do laundry while we surf the net while we watch TV. We check our e-mail while on a conference call and order lunch as we write a proposal. We take pride in our ability to keep lots of balls in the air at the same time.
The truth is that what we call multi-tasking is actually shifting our attention every few seconds from task to task to task. In reality, we’re wired to only
do one thing at a time. We create and buy into the illusion of simultaneous accomplishment, while, in reality, we act superficially with less than optimal results.
We manifest this pattern in our mental and emotional life, too. We agonize over our choices, delaying action while trying to anticipate every possible
outcome and make the “right” decision. When we finally DO get moving, we continue second guessing, flagellating ourselves with “shoulds” and guilt for
not being somewhere else or doing that other important activity. Is it any wonder that many of us feel drained and depleted at the end of the day?
Chin-Ning Chu quotes many wise masters in her life changing book “Thick Face, Black Heart — The Warrior Philosophy for Conquering the Challenges of Business and Life”. Among them is the 16th century Japanese
sword master Miyamoto Musashi who said, “Whatever state of mind you are in, ignore it. Think only of cutting.”
What a powerful reminder! As much as we like to complicate our lives, the answer really is this simple — the key to success is simply to make a commitment, and focus on it’s execution.
When distracted, our aim is deflected. Our blade may graze a tree, or bounce off a rock. It will soon become dull and unable to do the thing for which it was designed. High achievers know this and have sharpened their ability to tune out unnecessary input and focus on the task at hand.
When we try to do to much, when we fill our plates and stretch our bandwidth to the limit without allowing extra time and space to think, percolate and create, we usually wind up with a lot of incompletes and
disappointments — certainly not the outcomes we want!
Every day business life brings a continuous stream of challenges and distractions. There will always be e-mail to answer, phone calls to make, reading and writing to complete, things to organize. How we plan for — and
choose to respond — will determines our results.
This week, use your 15 Marketing Mambo minutes everyday to consider, clearly decide on and commit to what in your business you’re trying to “cut” in the next 12 months.
What state of mind is necessary in order to accomplish your tasks at the highest level? What kind of help do you need? What projects must be “back-burnered” to free up time and space for your main objective?
Copyright 2008 by Nancy Birnbaum-Gerber
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Concentrate all your thoughts on the task at hand.
The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.
– Alexander Graham Bell
