Are you on the ball?

Myopia. Do you have your eye on the ball? The one ball? Or is one eye on the screen as you try and talk with someone else with your other eye, as you notice out of the corner of your eye something else going on in the periphery of your vision. We can see so much but often see so little.

Seamless. In sports, athletes are taught, trained, and encouraged to keep their eye on the ball. When baseball batters are really focused they talk about seeing the seams of the fastball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand and zooms towards the plate. This is not time to be thinking about what Joe is doing?

Our other I. Full employee engagement means that our “I” is in the ball. We have invested ourselves fully in what we are doing. Nothing else matters but the matter right at hand. We do not force ourselves to focus rather we allow focus to consume us as extraneous thoughts disappear.

Get an eyeful. Here are some invitations to have your I in the ball and your eye on the ball:

1. Let your mind relax into concentration by slowly paying increasing attention to whatever you are doing?
2. Practice some form of mindfulness or meditation that will increase your overall capacity for greater attention.
3. When your mind wanders, and it certainly will, don’t panic just gently bring it back to the matter at hand.
4. If you are having sustained and prolonged periods without your I in the ball and your eye on the ball determine if “this ball” is worthy of your attention and consider shifting focus. Perhaps you are a bowler or golfer not a basketball player or a mechanic not a customer service representative.
5. Don’t forget, it is easy to keep your eye on the ball when your are “having a ball.” Ensure that enjoyment and learning are integrated into your performance and work.

Contribution not debt. Don’t pay attention. It is not a debt. Give attention. It is your contribution.