Extreme Focus
Last week I was hyper-focused. More than I usually am. A lot more.
I had a book to write.
It’s not a 100,000-word book, but it is long enough to deliver a riveting, powerful and soul-stirring message.
I began on Sunday afternoon with the introduction.
On Monday I wrote the first two chapters.
Followed by the next two on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, two more. Then another two on Thursday.
On Friday I thought I would write the conclusion, but I sensed another chapter was necessary, so I cranked that out. And I was finished.
With the first draft, that is.
Currently this book, Goal Getting, is 22,000 words. The second draft will probably kick it up to 25,000. The third may knock it down a bit.
Regardless, the lion’s share of heavy lifting is done. And man, does it feel good. When you’re creating something new each day, it’s hard to imagine that can get any better.
When you’re in the flow, time ceases to exist. Hours are mere minutes. You lose track of what day or week it is.
One of the highlights, after finishing the first draft, was a surprise testimonial that was posted on my Theatre of the Mind Facebook group, confirming one of the many messages in the book.
John Rugh, 62, took up the guitar last October. And by using my Goal Getting™ method, he is already playing November Rain, a classic from Guns N Roses.
To achieve his goal, John focused on a daily goal of “getting” five notes of the song down.
He said that after six months of lessons, most people, regardless of age, are stuck on “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” while he’s doing something much more difficult.
The secret to John’s success is focusing on what is easy via a daily goal that is achievable, realistic, repeatable and sustainable; a goal that may even seem ridiculously easy.
Congratulations, John. I’m happy for you, and I’m proud of you.
As I often say, “When you focus on the small you can have it all; when you focus on the big you stumble on every twig.”
Matt Furey
P.S. I’m currently deciding upon whether to have another Goal Getting™ Intensive in April… or one on Defeating the Failure Mechanism. You’re welcome to let me know your preference by emailing me at mattfurey@mac.com
