He
grew up on the tough streets of New Orleans and used a wealth of talent to
transform himself into one of the world’s most beloved musicians. He was
trumpet player Louis Armstrong, better known to his fans as "Satchmo."
In explaining his success, Armstrong said, "When I pick up the horn, I put
the whole world behind me. I concentrate on nothin’ but the horn." Louis
Armstrong was one focused cat, and you should be, too.
So, as you make plans for the days, weeks, and years ahead, don't try to do
everything. Don't try to be an expert-on-everything, and don't make your to-do
list a loose collection of trivial pursuits. Instead, focus you thoughts and
energies on doing a few things very well. Do whatever it takes to become a
master of your craft. Remember this: whether you're at work, home, or school,
you’re up on stage. And if you, like Satchmo,
focus your efforts on giving the ultimate
performance, the audience will love you for it.
Define Your Priorities and
Focus Your Energies
"Concentration is my motto: first
honesty, then industry, then concentration."
Andrew Carnegie
"Beware of dissipating your powers; strive constantly to concentrate
them."
Goethe
"No steam or river ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is
ever turned into light and power until it is harnessed. No life ever grows until
it is focused, dedicated, disciplined."
Harry Emerson Fosdick
"It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate
only on what is most significant and important."
Kierkegaard
"The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and
mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary."
Thomas Edison
To Reach Your Goal, Focus on Your Goal
"There’s so much to be done, you can
get distracted and not complete anything."
Cal Turner, Sr.
"If you chase two rabbits, both will escape."
Old-time Saying
"Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in
short in all management of human affairs."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Concentration is the key to economic results. No other principles of
effectiveness is violated as constantly today as the basic principle of
concentration."
Peter Drucker
"Success is focusing the full power of all you
are one what you have a burning desire to achieve."
Wilferd Peterson
Use Your Time Wisely and Focus on
Your Talents
"The ability to concentrate and use
your time well is everything."
Lee Iacocco
"The ability to focus on one thing single-mindedly and
see it through until it’s done is critical to success."
Harvey Mackay
"There are people who want to be everywhere at once, and they get
nowhere."
Carl Sandburg
"The immature mind hops from one thing to another; the mature mind seeks to
follow through."
Harry A. Overstreet
Written and Compiled by Cris
Freeman, Psy.D.
