Thread: How to focus: controlling creativity

Originally Posted by mtnman

I think Russ was going to start a thread about this, but I searched and can't find anything. If there is a similar thread already, mods please close/merge this one.

I won't say much until I know we didn't start this somewhere else. The purpose of this thread is to expound on planning and focus, but particularly narrowing it down and controlling your creativity to have yourself apply it to your most pertinent projects.

I'm not posting from the solution side, more of the problematic side. I have noticed a flaw in my daily activities, but it is obviously a result of my thinking at the core. It's easy to analyze another person's situation and relatively quickly pick out what they're doing wrong. Doing this on yourself is a whole different game; I think self sabotage comes into play here.

I can't quite put my finger on how to grasp controlling my creativity and I think this has a lot to with this. When I set out to accomplish a specific goal that's relative, the wheels get going and just bounce from one thing to the next, and the next, and the next. While all ideas pertain to the subject matter, the end result is not productivity.

I'm assuming this is rectified by just choosing one avenue and sticking to it, but I could be way off here.

I'm curious to see what everyone has to say about this area in particular?

I struggled with exactly the same thing. A business consultant I had hired years ago gave me a piece of advice that more than paid for her fees.

The first step was that I wrote an email about every idea I had. I had to get them out of my head and on to the page before I could let go of them and get back to what I was doing. So, I emailed them to her with the subtitle of "Bin: XXX". Bin meant that we met every couple of weeks and reviewed the dozens of ideas - keep, shelve, reprioritize, what action did I take? I did that with every single email.

Then I got to the point where I kept my own list on the computer. Now, in a giant step backward technology-wise, I carry a journal that i write them in. Each week I readdress the ideas.

I have to get them out of my head, or I can't move forward. But, I don't want to get off point from what I'm working on.

Interesting side note - I find that when I'm doing something creative (mind mapping in particular) that I start generating more and more ideas. However if I'm doing something more mechanical, my mind doesn't wander so much.

Focus focus focus . . .

These are familiar words around here.

And no wonder: Get a few dozen creative (and passionate) souls together, and the ideas spread like a wildfire.

I like the way one of our regulars put it:

Originally Posted by Yveskleinsky

I friggin love this place. Coming here is like taking a mental vitamin.

We have a fantastic support group in place here to help build on the latest, greatest fastlane idea. So it's easy to explore and grow these ideas.

You might even say it's addictive.

Speaking just for myself, there's been more than one night (or day) when I log in to these forums and get truly revved up by the ideas flying around.

Friggin mental vitamin indeed.

Given the rush I feel when I consider all the great ideas on these forums, it makes it all the harder to stay focused on what I'm doing. To continue on the same road with our PLAN.

The PLANNER in me sees the value in sticking with the roadmap we've laid out.

But the ENTREPRENEUR/CREATIVE SOUL loves to develop new ideas and start new things.

What to do?

*************
Being focused does not mean being dead, creatively speaking.

Instead, it means harnessing all (or most) of your creative energies to move down the path you've laid out in your PLAN.

Think of it this way:

If you have a Fastlane plan and have mapped out how to get there in the fastest, most efficient way possible, then entertaining new, exciting ideas that DO NOT directly add to your speed (or keep you pointed in the same direction) are DETOURS, plain and simple.

Make no mistake. DETOURS can be a heckuva lot of fun. You can explore new places and see lots of new things.

Very exciting.

But the more you stop and change direction, the LONGER it's gonna take for you to get to where your PLAN is going.

Still, it can be hard to follow the same ol' map all the time.

It's just waaaay too much fun to explore some of the cool things you see on the way.

*******

This is where the FASTLANE analogy really sinks in (thanks again, MJ).

If you're going 100 mph, you don't notice all the things you do when you're going 35.

Or if you're walking.

Going slower means noticing more details, and taking more in.

Which can be very enriching, and fulfilling.

And distracting.

It's how many people live their entire lives: Meandering along, having fun, taking a few unknown roads (some turn out to be dead ends) . . .

Before you know it, you're 65 or 70 and you look around and say "What happened? Where did all those years go?"

Answer: You were having fun, and exploring new things.

But you lacked direction.

********

Being in the FASTLANE means we have had to choose.

We choose to pass up/ignore a lot of the distractions/DETOURS along the way.

And instead, FOCUS on getting to where we want to go-- as FAST as possible.

This may not seem fun at times.

The lure of the DETOUR is strong.

But the more we learn how to FOCUS, the faster we arrive at our PLAN goals.

*********

So what do YOU do?

How do you keep your eyes on the road, FOCUSED on the direction of your PLAN?

Is it worth giving up all those way cool detours?

-Russ H.

(with apologies to MJ-- I realize that your use of the word "DETOUR" in your upcoming book may mean something very different!)

Originally Posted by Diane Kennedy

I struggled with exactly the same thing. A business consultant I had hired years ago gave me a piece of advice that more than paid for her fees.

The first step was that I wrote an email about every idea I had. I had to get them out of my head and on to the page before I could let go of them and get back to what I was doing. So, I emailed them to her with the subtitle of "Bin: XXX". Bin meant that we met every couple of weeks and reviewed the dozens of ideas - keep, shelve, reprioritize, what action did I take? I did that with every single email.

Then I got to the point where I kept my own list on the computer. Now, in a giant step backward technology-wise, I carry a journal that i write them in. Each week I readdress the ideas.

I have to get them out of my head, or I can't move forward. But, I don't want to get off point from what I'm working on.

Interesting side note - I find that when I'm doing something creative (mind mapping in particular) that I start generating more and more ideas. However if I'm doing something more mechanical, my mind doesn't wander so much.

I carry a pocket notebook with me at work. The front half is usual work related stuff that I don't want to forget. The back I fill with my ideas so I don't forget. My mind wanders the most when doing some repetitive tasks at work.

It actually helps to go back and look at them like you suggest. When I read through them later, its far enough away that my thought process is not exactly the same. I'm able to give it an outside opinion even if its my own idea. (it also helps to have CRS when doing this lol)

Good suggestion Diane.

I can definately relate...

Ultimately you do need focus because what I've found is there is only so many hours in the day and you can end up spreading yourself to thin...

The trouble is there is 1000's of opportunities everywhere you look and it's so tempting to chase as many as you can...

Sometimes you need to look for the opportunities within the opportunity...that way you can still let your entrepeneaurial spirit breath but maintain focus at the same time...

Also keep your eye out for the best people who can champion and drive your other projects on your behalf.

Originally Posted by Russ H

How do you keep your eyes on the road, FOCUSED on the direction of your PLAN?

Ah yes, the how. Thanks everyone for contributing thus far. Speed +++ Keep them coming!

I like the tip that Diane mentioned, and can definitely see the relevancy to "get things out."

I'm thinking to force start or 'break' the current habits, this would take almost a constant reminder without a coach to keep you accountable. Along the lines of a visual "in frame" all the time near your work space.

It would seem to fit that this might be where vision boards and visualization 'reminders' may come into play here. Hmm. I am fully aware of the power of visualizations and I have done these previously, but it is not a daily ritual.

Perhaps a combination Diane's "get your thoughts out" and a refocus through visualizations would combat the noise and make for better productivity.

I'm a bit skeptical as to how long the results of this would last, meaning throughout the day. I would think something else needs to change, at your core, and at the belief structure level.

It's kind of funny; I know a lot about change, belief structure, focus, and meditation but implementing ALL of the things available to yourself is a bit of a battle.

"The hardest work you have to do is on yourself" -- rings true here.

For the past year or so I have been writing down my ideas in journals and notebooks that I keep around my house and in my car so when I have an idea I can get it down on paper. Then I have a reminder come up on my calendar periodically to go back through them.

After some time has passed since I had the idea, I find I am more able to objectively judge them. A lot I have looked at later and thought, "ok, that's a lame idea" or "that wouldn't work because of x". I think that when my creative side is in full swing that I see everything through an optimistic viewpoint and don't really recognize the flaws in the idea, until later when I am in a more left brain mode. On the other hand, certain ideas continue to look good and I have them in a special file for possibilities to pursue when the time is right.

It is very tempting to pursue these promising ideas right away, but I am trying hard to stay focused and keep to my plan (which I am modifying now since my previous plan had a flaw).

Some of the best advice I've ever received re this was from one of my mentors.

He had a very full life, and was adept at keeping lots of people happy while charting his own course.

I asked him what was his secret.

He smiled and said:

"Do a simple thing well."

That's it.

"Every time I made a change where I forgot this, I wound up having to go back and re-do things," he said.

************

This little bit of advice is so simple, it's deceiving.

It's easy to read, and just miss the enormous power of its message.

Do a simple thing well.

Don't move to another thing until you've achieved mastery of this simple thing.

Don't lose sight of the original simplicity.

Don't get sidetracked by other, newer things.

Do a simple thing, well.

Whenever I get sidetracked or excited, or lose focus-- this is my mantra.

It keeps me in sight of my goal, and prevents me from making detours.

-Russ H.

Originally Posted by Russ H

Some of the best advice I've ever received re this was from one of my mentors.

He had a very full life, and was adept at keeping lots of people happy while charting his own course.

I asked him what was his secret.

He smiled and said:

"Do a simple thing well."

That's it.

"Every time I made a change where I forgot this, I wound up having to go back and re-do things," he said.

************

This little bit of advice is so simple, it's deceiving.

It's easy to read, and just miss the enormous power of its message.

Do a simple thing well.

Don't move to another thing until you've achieved mastery of this simple thing.

Don't lose sight of the original simplicity.

Don't get sidetracked by other, newer things.

Do a simple thing, well.

Whenever I get sidetracked or excited, or lose focus-- this is my mantra.

It keeps me in sight of my goal, and prevents me from making detours.

-Russ H.

I'm with ya. After reading that about five times, the light started to peak through the curtains.

In reference to dissecting my own situation, I think the creative side of me (dominant side or right "brained") takes over and doesn't want to do one thing, not one thing at all. Many things rather, as one thing is often boring.

To see needs going unsolved, feeling the need to create, and to embrace imagination is great as person, but flat out sucks in development utilized in a wide array.

I just had a thought... (this is kinda directed at you Russ, but I wish for everyone to chime in)

By "going back to the basics" mentality, I'm thinking about entertaining a new start. By that I mean entertain the thought just for today of restating my goals publicly (here) for criticism and accountability, forgetting about my current projects, and reformulate an action plan that only pertains to the industries that apply.

By tomorrow make a choice whether this is the most viable direction to head and roll with it. Advisable? Past experiences changing course?

What made me think of this was a common response, mainly by Russ and a few others. Whenever someone makes an action or goal statement, the common response is "What ya' gonna do about it"? Or rather, "What plan are you acting on to see that through"? The common response is usually less than stellar. I could be doing a variation of that and not even know it.

For myself, rather than going through all the "chatter" (control this, stop that, do more of that, etc...), maybe it would be better just to step back to the basics and take a different route and throw away the map after that. The road has to lead somewhere if you stay on it. I don't wanna be lost in the Grand Canyon forever.

Opinions?

We frequently take pause and look at the big picture.... are we still on track to the "ultimate" destination? Sometimes you get so bogged down in day to day obligations, that before you know it you have veered WAY off course.

Usually during long road trips or a quiet evening (kids at Grandma's) we step back and look at the big picture.

Where are we now? (have we veered off course?)
Where are we going? (this answer is pretty much static by now)
How do we get there? (are our current actions effective?)
What needs to be dropped / exchanged / paid more attention to?

Originally Posted by mtnman

I just had a thought... (this is kinda directed at you Russ, but I wish for everyone to chime in)

By "going back to the basics" mentality, I'm thinking about entertaining a new start. By that I mean entertain the thought just for today of restating my goals publicly (here) for criticism and accountability, forgetting about my current projects, and reformulate an action plan that only pertains to the industries that apply.

By tomorrow make a choice whether this is the most viable direction to head and roll with it. Advisable? Past experiences changing course?

What made me think of this was a common response, mainly by Russ and a few others. Whenever someone makes an action or goal statement, the common response is "What ya' gonna do about it"? Or rather, "What plan are you acting on to see that through"? The common response is usually less than stellar. I could be doing a variation of that and not even know it.

For myself, rather than going through all the "chatter" (control this, stop that, do more of that, etc...), maybe it would be better just to step back to the basics and take a different route and throw away the map after that. The road has to lead somewhere if you stay on it. I don't wanna be lost in the Grand Canyon forever.

Opinions?

Okay, you asked for it.

I read this three or four times and I'm sorry I just don't understand why you would do what you are proposing.

Here's what I would do: If I had something brand new, I've never done, etc... I would run by an EXPERT in that subject. The forum gets you some experts cheap (as in free) but you have to weed out the noise, and find some way to make that distinction.

But then once you have an idea, strategies and tactics; the next step is measurement. Did you hit your goals? If so, great. Why question it?

If you didn't, what needs to change? Maybe this is the place you need help with. ie...this is my plan, this was my goal and this was my result. Then let everyone chime in with a focussed direction. Instead of "I think you should take up sky diving" or "I think you should grow turnips" kind of SWAG comments.

If you don't have a measurement defined, then that is your issue. Ask that question.

But, rewashing and starting over every time you reach a certain point is an exercise in futility.

Hmm . . reading your post has me a bit confused as well, mtnman.

I read it differently from Diane, so I'm gonna respond to a different question:

Q: What if I'm going down the wrong road?

A: Speed is irrelevant if you're heading in the wrong direction (thanks, CarrieW!).

Actually, speed is VERY relevant if you're heading in the wrong direction.

It's taking you farther and farther away from where you want to be.

******

You've heard me say, ready, then AIM, then FIRE.

PLAN is no different.

Figure out where you want to be.

Then figure out the best road to take you there.

Mtnman, you may choose a road that seems like the long 'way round once you get on your way. And you can certainly adjust your course to be more efficient . . .

But don't throw the roadmap away. Even if you get a better map, your old map will tell you where you've been.

And it will help you plan future trips.

-Russ H.

[I think this thread was started in response to Buying an Old 'Bux and other threads in which (time and again) I am rebuked for being unfocused. If I'm mistaken, please disregard my egocentric implication.]

I have read the Fastlane Multi-Millionaire Stories. As you can see from my Reputation Speed and my post number, I'm a pretty active member here. I definitely consider myself a student of the FastlaneToMillions method. That is, I don't believe socking 90% of my take-home into a 401(k) is the path to amazing wealth.

I take issue with this metaphor of speeding by all the details in life. Those "enriching and fulfilling" distractions are our lives, very literally! Lennon said it best, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

I don't want to end up broke at 65. But I don't want to end up having missed life either.

Like a lot of you, I'm creative. I'm an artist. I get awakened at night by strikes of realization and motivation. As an entrepreneur and inventor, some of these ideas would take money and time to drag to fruition. Of the hundreds of ideas scrawled in my Moleskine idea notebook, only about a dozen have past muster to make it onto my front burners.

I run 10 sites actively. About 3 passionately. One is my current leading lady (my eBook). I own investment property. And I have three "real-world" jobs that pay. I'm a busy guy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I realize that my Renaissances Man approach to "extraordinary wealth" may get me ostracized among the ultra-focused, but I'm not willing to turn off my passions.

Does all this mean that I'm just not a fastlaner?

Originally Posted by PEERless

[I think this thread was started in response to Buying an Old 'Bux and other threads in which (time and again) I am rebuked for being unfocused. If I'm mistaken, please disregard my egocentric implication.]

I have read the Fastlane Multi-Millionaire Stories. As you can see from my Reputation Speed and my post number, I'm a pretty active member here. I definitely consider myself a student of the FastlaneToMillions method. That is, I don't believe socking 90% of my take-home into a 401(k) is the path to amazing wealth.

I take issue with this metaphor of speeding by all the details in life. Those "enriching and fulfilling" distractions are our lives, very literally! Lennon said it best, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

I don't want to end up broke at 65. But I don't want to end up having missed life either.

Like a lot of you, I'm creative. I'm an artist. I get awakened at night by strikes of realization and motivation. As an entrepreneur and inventor, some of these ideas would take money and time to drag to fruition. Of the hundreds of ideas scrawled in my Moleskine idea notebook, only about a dozen have past muster to make it onto my front burners.

I run 10 sites actively. About 3 passionately. One is my current leading lady (my eBook). I own investment property. And I have three "real-world" jobs that pay. I'm a busy guy, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I realize that my Renaissances Man approach to "extraordinary wealth" may get me ostracized among the ultra-focused, but I'm not willing to turn off my passions.

Does all this mean that I'm just not a fastlaner?

Peerless, you have made very good contributions to this board. I think what your getting is "tough love". Folks don't want to turn you away from your passions, and they surely don't want you to have life pass you by. The whole purpose of the forum (to paraphrase MJ) is to live life now instead of saving till 65. All I think anyone is suggesting is try to stay in one direction. If you make too many left turns all you do is spend a lot of effort to go nowhere. The analogy if missing the small details when driving fast, was not to ignore life, but to not get distracted.

If your plan includes your passions that may seem like distractions to others, so be it, its your plan and only works for you. They are only trying to keep you focused. Sometimes defending that plan helps you self evaluate it. Ok, so now I'm rambling...but you get the idea.

About the changes/adjustments to your plan:
In my case, I spent a lot of time thinking of what I wanted to do, until I defined the "where I want to be", the final destination. Then I chose a vehicle (Real Estate, both SFH rentals and flips) and I went ahead and started doing it. But then, when revising my progress and my plan I realized that doing the same I was doing I wouldn't make it to my goal in the time I wanted to.
So, I had to reevaluate my plan and change the vehicle.
That's how I ended up switching to multi-families instead.

About the original post/controlling creativity:
It is very hard for me. Especially when there are no deal at sight or I am running low in funds needed to complete deals.
I am still working on that.
Problem is, opportunities keep landing on my lap and I have the fortune of being able to choose which ones to follow.
And yes, this forum has only reinforced my belief that, in today's world, your biggest problem is not how to make money, but sticking to one of the ways (vehicles), master it, ride that pony as far as it will take you, and then move on.
Very interesting thread.

Originally Posted by andviv

But then, when revising my progress and my plan I realized that doing the same I was doing I wouldn't make it to my goal in the time I wanted to.
So, I had to reevaluate my plan and change the vehicle.
That's how I ended up switching to multi-families instead.

Exactly...

As you head down the path - - the view starts to change...

Maybe you see things you didn't see before.
Maybe your definition of wealth or time changes
Maybe you figure out your plan won't get you to the destination.

It is okay (indeed smart) to re-assess and to alter course when needed.

I was/am quite possibly the poster child for adult ADD. In order for me to focus on one thing I have to sample many. I was the kid that pinched all the chocolates in the Valentine's Day box to see what they were before I committed to any particular one. Not much has changed since those days, and when I first joined this forum I couldn't get enough. I knew in a general sense what I wanted: to own my own time and spend that time exploring different opportunities. The exact vehicle was unclear. After many, many posts and "pinching" different ideas, I finally landed on one. Now I am focused. I still find any type of opportunity exciting and interesting, but I don't feel compelled to pursue them- at least not until I get this current project off the ground. I know if I were to follow any of these other opportunities doing so would just spin me into the service lane of the fastlane.

Don't get me wrong, I value my creativity and varied interests- however, I had to learn how to reign that energy in; doing so can be challenging, but if you don't you are "leaking" energy at every turn. Just know that focus is not synonomous with bland; just like being disciplined and/or organized is not synonomous with stifling.

Sometimes, I just wake up and know that I have 100 things running through my brain. I start off by time chunking my day, that way all the bases get covered, by my priority stays my main focus. You have to figure out how you work and then what works best for you.