Do you sometimes feel like you’re trying to do a million things, but not getting any of them done?

At the beginning of last year, one of the ten goals that I set for myself was to read at least twenty-five books before December 31. After hearing over and over again that “leaders are readers” – as well as other applicable axioms – I decided that it would be beneficial to devote more time to learning and self-improvement through reading. The idea itself isn’t a burden – I have enjoyed reading since I was three or four years old – rather, it was setting aside the time to do it.

By the end of the year, I had completed only 14 books. Twelve months, an entire year – and only 14 books. Just over one book per month. Why did I fall so short of reaching this goal? (And not the only goal I didn’t hit for 2016, to be sure.)

Well, there were some practical, “life” reasons – some events this past year that wreaked havoc on our schedule: moving to another state, starting a new job, having my mother-in-law living with us for four months (though that was positive). All these things upset our equilibrium from February to around mid-to-late June. So it would be understandable to reach only half of a goal with only six months available to complete it.

The real reason is quite simple: Lack of focus.

Little focus, little success

The reality is that I started to read at least 25 books this past year – you should see my Kindle downloads – so I identified enough books to reach my goal. The problem is that, while I started 25 books…I only finished 14. And that’s the main issue, not just for 2016 but definitely – as I begin the book-writing journey – for 2017 as well. Limited focus, limited completion, limited results.

Be like a postage stamp— stick to one thing until you get there. (Josh Billings)

During this past couple of months, this idea of maintaining a laser-like focus on fewer things – or one thing – rather than on many things has been brought to mind and reiterated over and over again. Billings’ metaphor of the postage stamp is helpful: a stamp ensures that a package or letter reaches its intended destination because it doesn’t try to do more than one thing. To mail a different letter, the sender must use a different stamp (i.e., something else with a singular focus.) The same does and must hold true in goal accomplishment – if we want to be successful.

Many will suggest that “multitasking” is the answer to getting more done; however, the majority of research disputes this approach. Multitasking is not achievable – our brains just don’t work that way – but finding and maintaining a consistent focus on reaching a goal until completion can be done. This shift in mindset is important, not just for the New Year, but in life in general. In short, the key to getting things done – especially the right things – is focus.

In 2016, I’m sure you may have had a list of goals and hopes, as I did. For 2017, let’s start with a roll of “stamps,” so to speak, so that we can achieve our goals and reach our intended destinations.

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