FOCUS: Managing our THOUGHTS

In last week’s Monday Meditations, we introduced the topic of FOCUS and how it relates to our management of TIME.  In that edition, we learned that DISTRACTION is the enemy of focus.  This week, we will continue to build on that concept as we consider how valuable our THOUGHTS are to helping us stay focused.

A few nights ago, my wife and I sat down to watch TV together.  At some point in the evening my attention shifted away from the show and I glanced over to look at her.  I was struck by what I observed.  Her facial expressions and intent gaze revealed she was absorbing the details of the show.  It was interesting to me that she allowed herself to escape into this program and not be distracted by anything else.  She was consumed in the entertainment of the moment.  As for me, I was easily distracted and often missed some of the finer details of the show.  She willingly points them out to me whenever I get confused about the events as they unfold. 

While this example might not have a lot of importance, or have a serious consequence, I do think the same thing can happen to us regardless of where our focus needs to be.

Epictetus (Stoic philosopher) once said, “You become what you give your attention to.  
If you yourself don’t choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will.”

He made that statement long before the invention of the TV, the internet, and cell phones.
Digital marketers are all trying to create attractions (aka distractions) and algorithms that are meant to take our focus away from what WE want and to give our attention to what THEY want.  They know that where the focus, is the wallet follows.

Our thoughts can sometimes take us away to a different place.  Our minds are often used for time travel back into the past as we remember significant events and people.  Perhaps we think about regrets that start with the phrase “what if I had only…”, or we remember the hurts and offences from a personal interaction.  We also use our mind to travel to the future as we think about plans and strategies and consider their outcomes.  We worry about things that haven’t yet happened but feel the emotions as though they have.  Rarely are we able to silence our thoughts long enough to live in the present and take in all the detail of the moment.

Too many times I have found myself thinking about things that really don’t matter.  I willingly and complacently give my time and focus (attention) to ideas that have no (or low) value for my business, life or spirit, and, before I know it lazy minutes become wasted hours.  Wasted hours then become unproductive days.  Unproductive days grow to become directionless weeks, months and years.   

Q: What low value thoughts do you tend to give your focus/attention to?

As Corpath members we assert that our attention is to first be given to God’s ways as we pursue excellence in business, life and spirit. Following Christ means we transform our ways of thinking (Romans 12:2).   

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians also says, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” (NLT) 

Worldly focus is short-sighted.  It looks at the temporal.  We are called to look at the eternal.  Worldly focus sets its sights on things that have earthly value.  We are called to set our sights on things that have heavenly value.  We know that eternal and heavenly thoughts have the highest value of all. 

The Bible tells us Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us, and one of the most effective ways he does this is by hijacking our thought life.  I believe this is why Paul states in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT) that we are to “destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

We need to replace low value thinking with high value thoughts. 

So what should we be thinking about?

Philippians 4:8 (NLT) gives us a great list of those things that should consume our thought life:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.“ 

This list can apply to everything we do and everyone we meet.  When we follow these guidelines our thought-life automatically has high value and our ability to FOCUS on the things that matter goes up. 

Q:Thinking about your thought life, how would it rate if you measured it against the list from Philippians 4:8?

I want to encourage you to become acutely aware of our FOCUS-ability.  Pay attention to what distracts you and the topics you tend to think about.  Build high value thinking time into your days and see what difference it can make in your spiritual, personal and professional satisfaction. 

If you are interested in learning more about the value of having FOCUS, watch this video series from Jon Acuff using your free RightNow Media @ Work subscription as a Corpath member. 

You can find the series here: https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/729786

My Prayer:

God, thank you for this message today.  I confess that my thought life often strays away from the high value ways You encourage me to embrace.  I allow distractions to easily take me away from the path you wish for me to follow.  I ask that you remind me to focus on You and Your word as I transform my thinking to be aligned with your ways.  Amen.   

Blessings as Always!

Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums

"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit”

Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.

Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.