“Where focus goes, energy flows.”

- Tony Robbins

It's all too easy to become preoccupied with what we don't want. We may find ourselves continuously worrying about conversations we don't want to have, or ruminating on a mistake we or others made at work that we don't want to repeat. By focusing on the things we don't want, we're actually holding ourselves back from achieving the things we do want. Instead, we should be putting our energy into thinking about what we want and how to make it a reality.

One of the most powerful tools we have for shaping our thoughts and our lives is the ability to focus on what we want, instead of what we don't want. We instantly put our minds in a positive, constructive state when we think about what we want. We're focusing on the possibilities and the opportunities, instead of the limitations and the problems. And when we do this, we're much more likely to actually achieve the things we want.

Consider this: If you're always concerned about yourself or your team not meeting their objectives, you're likely to become upset and frustrated. If you're anxious and frustrated, it's unlikely that you'll be as effective as you could be personally or as a leader. However, focusing on yourself and your team reaching your goals will certainly make you feel more positive and motivated. And if you're optimistic and motivated, you'll be in a far better position to help your team attain its full potential.

Of course, it's not always easy to shift our focus from what we don't want to what we do want. But with practice, it's definitely possible. Here are a few tips for getting started:

1. Catch yourself when you're thinking about what you don't want and make a conscious effort to shift your thoughts to what you do want. For example, if you find yourself thinking about a conversation you don't want to have, shift your focus to the desired outcome.

2. Get in the habit of setting goals and making plans for achieving the things you want. When we have specific, actionable plans for what we want to achieve, it becomes much easier to focus on those things instead of the things we don't want.

3. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. The people we spend the most time with have a huge impact on the way we think and feel. By spending time with people who are positive and supportive, we're much more likely to be positive and supportive ourselves.

4. Practice gratitude, focus on the positive things in your life, and shift your attention to the good things in your life. By practicing gratitude on a daily basis, you are rewiring your brain to track for positivity. Your thoughts ultimately affect your strategy and how you show up in that conversation, project, etc.

By focusing on what we want instead of what we don't want, we can achieve much more than we ever thought possible. Not only will we be more productive, we will also be happier and more fulfilled.

Next time you find yourself thinking about the things you don't want, take a step back and refocus your thoughts on what you do want. With time and practice, you'll be amazed at the results you can achieve.