CHECK THE QUALITY OF YOUR ATTENTION

I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention.

 Diane Sawyer

We have often heard that there is no substitute for hard work. In fact, if we think for a while, we cannot work hard if we don’t pay attention. Paying attention is a very important quality that we have to develop. Paying attention means that we are fully involved in what we are doing and that our mind is fully on the task on hand. Through our five senses we communicate with the world outside. We see, hear, smell, taste and feel. The quality of these sensations depends upon the quality of our attention and attention span.

Attention is the ability to focus our mind on one thing. Attention span is the duration of our attention. Our mind is normally distracted and disturbed and jumping from one thought to another. A wavering mind will not gather any momentum. Our mind and thoughts have to be contained and controlled. It does not come to us naturally. We have to train our mind.

The most important pre-requisite for paying attention is our interest level. If we do not have interest in what we are doing, we will not get involved and consequently we will not pay attention. Next time you watch a cricket match or a football match, notice the quality and intensity of the players’ attention and evaluate yours on your job.

Success or failure depends on the ability to pay attention to details. This factor also determines how much you can climb in your chosen field.

Stop reading this and check the quality of your attention: Can you recall the above quotation without reading it again?

N C Sridharan
www.thetimefoundation.com
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