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Nothing feels better than achieving your goals. To stand on top of a mountain that you once thought was insurmountable and look down at the path that you took… there’s just nothing like it.
But to achieve goals one must set them and, more importantly, remain focused. To set a goal without a plan and without focus is about as good as throwing a quarter into a wishing well.
How to set the right goals? More importantly, how to remain focused on them? This is the $64,000 question of self-improvement and self-actualization. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Fortunately, we have no shortage of men who have achieved great things who are willing to share their wisdom about how they transformed aspirations into goals — and goals into reality. Whether they be philosophers or titans of industry, one hallmark of men of achievement is that they are often willing to give back to those looking to blaze the same trails they did, if only in the form of a bit of wisdom to help them along the way.
When you sit down to make some goals, or if you feel yourself straying from the path, give a read to some of these quotes we’ve culled from some of the most accomplished figures in human history. They’ll help you to keep your head down when things get tough.
Quotes About Finding Focus and Staying Focused
Steve Jobs
“Focusing is about saying No.”
Steve Jobs’ quote succinctly encapsulates the essence of focus in decision-making and productivity. By emphasizing the act of saying “No,” Jobs underscores the importance of prioritization and concentration. In a world filled with distractions and opportunities, true focus requires the discipline to decline lesser priorities in favor of those that truly matter.
Peter Drucker
“Efficiency is doing things right; Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
Peter Drucker’s quote succinctly distinguishes between efficiency and effectiveness in management. While efficiency focuses on the execution of tasks with precision and speed, effectiveness concerns itself with the strategic alignment of actions with overarching goals. In essence, efficiency ensures tasks are completed proficiently, while effectiveness ensures those tasks contribute meaningfully to desired outcomes.
Lev Grossman
“Busyness – that state of constant distraction that allows people to avoid difficult realities and maintain self deceptions.”
– Lev Grossman, citing Søren Kierkegaard
Lev Grossman, referencing Søren Kierkegaard, defines “busyness” as a state of perpetual distraction enabling individuals to evade uncomfortable truths and sustain self-delusions. This concept highlights how people immerse themselves in trivial tasks to avoid confronting deeper existential or personal issues, ultimately hindering genuine introspection and growth.
Unknown
“Starve your distractions, feed your focus.”
– Unknown
The quote advises individuals to prioritize their focus by neglecting distractions. By starving distractions and directing attention towards meaningful goals or tasks, one can enhance productivity and achieve greater success.
Zig Ziglar
“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.”
This quote emphasizes that the key obstacle to achieving goals isn’t a shortage of time but rather a lack of clear direction. It underscores the importance of setting priorities and focusing efforts effectively within the same 24-hour day available to everyone.
Warren Buffett
“The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.”
This quote highlights the discernment of highly successful individuals in prioritizing their commitments. It suggests that while successful people exercise selectivity in their pursuits, those who achieve exceptional success demonstrate even greater discipline by rejecting the majority of opportunities that come their way.
Seneca
“There is nothing that the busy man is less busy with then living; there is nothing harder to learn.”
– Seneca
This quote from Seneca emphasizes the paradox of busyness, suggesting that while individuals may appear occupied with various tasks, they often neglect the essence of living itself. It highlights the challenge of truly embracing and experiencing life amidst the distractions and demands of a busy existence.
Winston Churchill
“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
Winston Churchill’s quote serves as a metaphor for staying focused on one’s goals despite distractions and obstacles encountered along the way. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in achieving success, urging individuals to avoid being deterred by minor setbacks or distractions that may divert them from their intended path.