Pick a single word that you want to define your year ahead. Why this word? How will you embody it?
I was wondering where to take this…. There are so many words that would be a great fit. From Learn (looking at perpetual growth both personally and professionally), to Growth (to have the mindset to always be “moving forward”), or even Habit (to ensure that good pattern are ingrained). But none of these felt like they properly hit the mark.
So what would…
“Focus”
focus /fō′kəs/
noun
- The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.
- The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image.
“in focus; out of focus.”- A center of interest or activity.
The Dilemma
In the year 2026, the feeling of needing “focus” seems to resonate with me. Working in the web industry, there is so mush in life that seems to be designed to drain focus, to keep you engaged in a platform, away from what can bring a positive influence.
I remember watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix a few years ago, and the thought that apps, and notifications, and feedback loops, and likes, and…. The list goes on. They’re all designed to keep you coming back, to keep firing your receptors. Whether it be a game with daily challenges, or needing to get more likes, it’s all the same, and not good for us as a whole.
So, if I can find focus this year, it can lead into having actual meaningful time. Whether that being within work and our business, or personal time with family whilst being mindful of the situation, not just drifting off to get the next 7-second video clip.
The Future
Moving on from the focus itself to the item that is having the focus applied, this will lead into goal setting, achievement, and attainment. Without focus, things will just drift by. I’m reminded of what Earl Nightingale said in The Strangest Secret (Audio / PDF), “If a man is working toward a pre-determined goal and knows where he’s going, that man is a success. If he’s not doing that, he’s a failure. Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.”. That is what focus can bring. Having your mind focused, and following that goal, is what will bring its realisation.
This strikes a chord with me, in that, without a level of commitment and keeping that goal in mind, there won’t be growth. There won’t be any forward momentum. You won’t get top learn anything new, or step out of your comfort zone.
The Search
One question going around my mind is… How do you find focus? Is it a matter of cutting stuff out? or adding things in?
If I have learnt one thing over the last few years, it is that it is a process of repetition. Whether taking a leaf from Atomic Habits by James Clear or Peak Mind by Amishi Jha (and many other great authors that I’ll try to get into further blog posts) the act of repeated action makes the process easier day by day.
So, here’s to a focused 2026. Much learning. And hopefully some goal hitting along the way.
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below, or via the Fediverse
Reposts