New here? Learn about my wellness project, a year-long wellness experiment.
Throughout the course of Focus Month, I started to realize that I was mostly working on what I’m calling microfocus vs. macrofocus.
Microfocus being things like only checking email twice per day (which is awesome, btw), single tasking, and using StayFocused to manage social media time.
Even though I re-implemented all these microfocus strategies, I still felt overwhelmed. Stretched too thin like a rubberband ready to snap. Ready to run away and hide (and come back out when all my commitments were obliterated).
About Macrofocus
For several years, I’ve been an advocate of macrofocus in the business world. Provide one or two amazing products. Be the best at one thing and stick with it. Those are the types of companies that seem to make it.
However, I’ve not managed to implement macrofocus in my own life. And right now, it’s almost worse than ever.
The problem is that most of my commitments are enjoyable and meaningful. I’m singing again. I’m learning how to play the guitar. I’m promoting wellness is our schools. I’m changing my freakin’ career in order to do meaningful work every day!
How do I get macro-focused?
Narrowing the Focus
It’s time to sit down and think about priorities. What’s most important to me? What will have the greatest impact on my world?
Health Promotion
I feel a strong calling to work in the field of health promotion and wellness. This is why I am working on a personal trainer certification (exam on Monday!), a health coach certification, and taking a health class at the local college.
This is also why I spend time every week networking with other holistic health providers in the area, volunteering for the school wellness committee, and participating in community-wide wellness initiatives.
Personal and Family Wellness
Along with that comes personal wellness. Hence, the wellness project. And I must contribute to the wellness of my family. Because how much good can I do if my personal life is a mess?
This means taking time to cook delicious and satisfying meals (work in progress!), finding time to move my body, spending quality time with my family, connecting spiritually with others through music, and always learning by reading and writing.
Internet Marketing
I have to make a modest living while I work through my career change. That’s where Internet marketing comes in. This skill set will also prove useful when I’m ready to promote my health coaching services.
So I work with my clients’ websites and stay on top of the latest trends, spending the least amount of time acquiring the greatest amount of information.
Evaluating New Opportunities through the Macrofocus Lens
By having my priorities clear, I can evaluate new opportunities through the macrofocus lens. Yes, my areas above are quite broad, but it still provides a certain amount of guidance.
Nothing can get in the way of my top priorities of pursuing a career in health promotion, being well, having a healthy relationship with my family, and doing great work for my clients.
Macrofocus Means Saying No
I cannot do amazing work if I don’t have macrofocus. Doing too many things leads to sloppiness, missed deadlines, and undue stress. That’s not the way to be in this world.
Saying yes is easy. Saying no is hard.
We don’t want to let people down. We want to seem interested in whatever cause is being tossed our way. We want their approval.
I have decided that I will volunteer my time for two things:
- The school wellness committee (as long as I feel that I’m making a difference).
- My church music program (singing in the choir, working with the kids and teens).
If I try to give more, my efforts for the above causes will be diluted.
The greatest impact comes with macrofocus.
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