"The ability to focus attention on important things is a defining
characteristic of intelligence."

- Robert J. Shiller

I like that quote and I just found it on the internet today.

That's one thing about the internet. You can now find just about anything if you know how to use it. That's where google comes in. I mean a few years ago, my brother told me about google and I didn't even say it right. I thought he said or it looked like goggles. You know. I was new to the internet.

Just like I didn't know how to TEXT about 5 years ago.

Wow, how things change.

Sometimes, I feel stupid.

Yes, yes dear reader... don't try to talk me out of
it. I am sometimes, in a phrase, as dumb as a stump
or like a man in a rowboat with just one oar..

And when are those times I'm most keenly aware of my
un-sharpness?

Now that I think about it, it's almost always when
I'm trying to do too much at once. Heck I was laying
in bed last night and you know it, here I am and I
can't remember what I have to do today.

I was working on something for two doctors and it's
kind of cool promotion.

What they're sending out is a promo where they
send an actual check made out to themselves, and
sending it to people on their LIST.

I figured if the people don't answer to this
letter, something totally FREE and something
totally REAL, then they're not going to answer
anything.

This will save the doctors a bunch of money, but
in the process most likely get them some business
without spending a ton of money.

First, because I happen to be mired in a project I'm
WAY overthinking... at a time when there happens to
be a lot to think about. Sometimes that's just the
way it is.

Here's something you might want to read.

THE MYTH OF MULTITASKING
by Donnie B

"It is those who concentrate on but one thing at a
time who advance in this world," said Og Mandino,
"The great man or woman is the one who never steps outside his or her specialty or foolishly dissipates
his or her individuality."

How many people do you know that dominate their field
without specializing in a particular area?

How many geniuses are experts in multiple unrelated
disciplines?

The answer is... not too many.

Real expertise nearly always requires tenacious focus
on a singular discipline.

Focus is one of the most important elements of
greatness. Obsessive focus is also necessary to take
that greatness to the heights it’s capable of
attaining.

There is always the temptation to multi-task,
"diversify," or whatever. After all, common sense
tells us that it's dangerous to put all your eggs in
one basket. Shouldn't we all work on being well-
rounded people?

The truth is that you're "dissipating your
individuality" by doing that. Mandino asserts that
you are diminishing your chances at greatness by
stepping outside of your specialty.

Take a look at yourself.

Are you dividing yourself, working on too many
different projects or in too many areas?

STOP!

Confucius says "Man who chases two rabbits catches
neither."

Find that one thing you're truly gifted in, and focus
on improving that expertise.

Taking into consideration that obsession is a good
thing when it comes to becoming an authority in any
area, here's a very simple action plan to get you
started on your way to becoming the next Mozart of
your field.

1) Determine where your genius lies. One thing at a
time. This is crucial. It can be one of the hardest
parts, as well. We previously noted that all the
training you receive, all the advice you hear is to
a)”broaden your horizons" and be a well-rounded
person, and to b) multitask.

Focus is hard work.

You do not naturally do this.

No one does.

But "tunnel vision" is a common factor among all the greats.

One side note here. A recent study has proven that
multitasking has similar effects on overall
effectiveness, quality of work, and memory retention
as smoking marijuana.

Think about that for a moment.

Is spreading yourself thin by multitasking really
worth it?

What you focus on will depend on your unique
personality and makeup. That’s not to say that you
can't break from conventional thinking like Spud Webb
(honestly, who saw that one coming?).

Your genius is something you’re passionate about.
Something you have a flare for.

2) Discipline and patience. It's not going to be
easy. Discouragement has come even to history’s
brightest minds.

You may feel like you'll never get where you want to go.

But you have to keep striving and practicing.

If negativity comes your way, ignore it.

Practice makes perfect.

More importantly, practice makes permanent.

In the words of Thomas Carlyle, "Genius is an
infinite capacity for taking pains."

Keep at it.

3) Take action. Publicly. If getting started is the
hardest part, then putting yourself in front of
others is the scariest.

Who wants to be an undercover genius? Not you! You'll
have to share your expertise with others.

Don't pretend to be more than you are.

Don't underestimate your ability or knowledge either.

Be yourself.

Be confident.

Step forward in your ever-increasing
ability and authority.

Remember: action is key. If you never put into
practice the gifts and talents you have, you're selling yourself short, and you're robbing the people
around you of the benefit they might gain from your
giftedness.

Please don't do that.

The world needs all
the greatness it can find.

Would you rather be the go-to guy or gal, the expert
in your chosen field, or the person who knows a
little about everything, but not enough to be amazing
at anything in particular? A jack-of-all-trades is
rarely master of any.

The choice really is yours."