Jan. 9, 2010 - Focal Point by Brian Tracy

Although this book primarily relates to the business world, two sections that I found universally applicable were "Your Habits Determine Your Destiny" and "Whatever You Concentrate On Grows".

Habits are easily formed, especially bad ones, but it takes much hard work and effort to develop and maintain good habits. Research (by Dr. Maxwell Maltz) has shown that it takes 21 successive days to develop a good habit; but, that habit can be destroyed with one or two quick relapses. Therefore, it may take extreme discipline and energy to develop good habits. The quote by Goethe mentioned here, "Everything is hard before it is easy" is certainly relevant. The author also states that, "good habits are hard to develop but easy to live with; bad habits are easy to develop but hard to live with." I think that one of the most important factors for success is having the discipline and work ethic needed to support the development of these good habits. It is difficult to do something, but easy to do nothing.

In the next section, the author uses an experiment on factory workers to prove the point that, "Wherever your attention goes, your heart goes also." In 1928, researchers selected a group of women who assembled motors on a production line to be the focus of an experiment. They told the women about the project and then proceeded to modify elements of their work environment - more lighting, less lighting, higher temperatures, lower temperatures, and other working conditions. Interestingly, each time an element was modified, whether positive or negative, production levels rose. The researchers were mystified. How could that be? At this point, they met with a focus group who revealed that the simple fact that the researchers had taken an interest in the workers had caused levels of self-esteem and confidence to rise. Since the workers felt better about themselves, they worked harder.

This made me think of students in my classroom and teachers at my school. When a teacher is attentive with their students, circulating among them as they work, answering questions and guiding their research, inspiring them to reach their potential, students achieve better results. Similarly, teachers who work for administrators who support them, listen to their ideas, and include them in important decisions also work more effectively. Happy teacher, happy students. I remember when my children were young, each time I turned my attention away from them to answer the phone, invariably a disagreement or problem would arise. This continues to be the case even now that they are teenagers.

I enjoy reading books such as Focal Point, because even though much of what is written is common sense or advice I've heard before, it is always motivational to hear it again, perhaps from a slightly different point of view that may reveal some points to ponder.