Today: A very special skill for success.

“The jury will come to order,” said the judge as the trial was about to begin. Just then he noticed a juror had a telephone headset on and a lap top computer in front of her.

“Excuse me,” he said. “What are you doing?”

“I’m multitasking,” she replied as she scanned her email. “But go ahead your honor. I know the case and can follow the proceedings,” she added as she took a bite of her breakfast and leaned over to grab a napkin from her handbag to wipe her mouth.

“Young lady,” the judge responded, as he shook his head in disbelief. “We need your undivided attention. Please put away your headset and computer and set aside your breakfast.”

“I will,” she answered. “Give me a few more minutes to finish what I’m doing and then I’ll switch my phone to vibrate,” she stated as she began text messaging.

This situation may seem odd to you, yet it is how many people function today. To get as much work done as possible, they multitask. But rather than get one job at a time done well, they get several jobs done poorly because of a lack of focus.

If you would like to become successful in your profession and in your personal relationships, then use this very special skill: Focus.

When you focus your attention, it harnesses your brain power, intensity and energy and it sets the stage for outstanding results. When you don’t focus, much of what you do is scattered.

As the basketball player stepped to the free throw line, the crowd roared with excitement and they rocked the arena, stomping their feet so hard it felt like an earthquake. The championship was on the line and his team was down by one point with one second to play.

If he makes the 1st shot, the score will be tied and he’ll have a 2nd shot to try to win the game. But if he misses the first shot the game is over and his team loses.

As he aims the ball a hush falls over the crowd. But just as he was about to shoot, suddenly he turned away and tucked the basketball under his arm. “What are doing?” screamed the ref.

“This is a big moment,” he replied. “And I want to capture it. I’m twittering a message about it to my buddies,” he added while then holding up his cell phone and taking several pictures including one capturing the irate ref’s bulging eyes and flaring nostrils.