How many times have we asked this question? Wait, wait, don’t answer that. How about let’s do it on purpose! That’s right, ask yourself, multiple times a day, “What am I thinking?”
Why? Because the answers may surprise you! Oops, I just had a negative thought. Oops, I just thought about skipping my exercise scheduled for today. Oops, I just thought about one of my fears and gave it energy to grow. Oops, I haven’t focused on this assignment that’s due, and I’m over here browsing Facebook now. How did I let that happen?
And why is it important to observe my thoughts? In the Master Key System, Haanel tells us why. “The cultivation of attention is the distinguishing characteristic of every successful man or woman, and is the very highest personal accomplishment which can be acquired.” (6-19)
I LOVE the sound of that. – being successful; highest personal accomplishment. Yep, that’s what I want when I grow up. And all I have to do is pay ATTENTION? Hmm, that should be easy.
Oops, not according to a study Leon Watson wrote about in the UK Telegraph, “Humans have shorter attention span than goldfish, thanks to smartphones.” Watson shares that, “The results showed the average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in 2000, or around the time the mobile revolution began, to eight seconds. Goldfish, meanwhile, are believed to have an attention span of nine seconds.”
Okay, so I’ll have to practice thinking and concentrating to get my brain focused and working on my own success. Haanel also gives us some advice on how. “This power of attention can be more readily understood by comparing it with a magnifying glass in which the rays of sunlight are focused; they possess no particular strength as long as the glass is moved about and the rays directed from one place to another; but let the glass be held perfectly still and let the rays be focused on one spot for any length of time, the effect will become immediately apparent.
“So with the power of thought; let power be dissipated by scattering the thought from one object to another, and no result is apparent; but focus this power through attention or concentration on any single purpose for any length of time and nothing becomes impossible.” (6-20)
Nothing becomes impossible. Now THAT’s what I want to be thinking!
Thanks for visiting my blog, Great post week six what am I thinking I know for me that is a great question now that I know how important thinking is. I know now sometimes my thinking makes no sense.
Thank you so much, Brian. It’s a tough subject to tackle, tough skills to build, but great payback! Happy holidays to you and yours!
Excellent post, Day, and such a critically important subject. My timing for reading this is perfect, as there have been so many distractions which have literally stolen much of my life force.
Loved your photo choice of the guy in the boat using his smartphone, and missing what would obviously been a treasured moment for the rest of his life.
I was shocked to read of the shift of the 12-second attention span down to eight seconds, but it makes sense.
You chose a quote I needed to be reminded of… “The cultivation of attention is the distinguishing characteristic of every successful man or woman, and is the very highest personal accomplishment which can be acquired.” (6-19)”
Thanks for all you are and do. <3
Thanks for your kind comments, Noel. I appreciate how you help me plow the field to cultivate success too. I am grateful for your friendship!