Focus on the Wildly Important

Focus on the Wildly Important

The more you try to do, the less you actually accomplish.

Wildly Important

Author of of The 4 Disciplines of Execution explain, "The more you try to do, the less you actually accomplish." They elaborate that execution should be aimed at a small number of wildly important goals." This simplicity will help focus an organization's energy to a sufficient intensity to ignite real results.

Identify a Small Number

      For an individual focused on deep work, the implication is that you should identify a small number of ambitious outcomes to pursue with your deep work hours. The general exhortation to spend more time working deeply doesn't spark a lot of enthusiasm. To instead have a specific goal that would return tangible and substantial professional benefits will generate a steadier stream of enthusiasm. In a 2014 column titled "The Art of Focus," David Brook endorsed this approach of letting ambitious goals drive focused behavior, explaining: "If you want to win the war of attention, don't try to say 'no' to the trivial distractions you find on the information smorgasbord; try to say 'yes' to the subject that arouses a terrifying longing, and let the terrifying longing crowd out everything else."

( Cal Newport )