Last week we dealt with certain tools, today we will look at more of what we can call subordinate but vital tools.
Other tools
1. Focus on the tools you have or that’s available.
David used what he has. Many of us look down on what we have.
Focus on the tool you have…
David in his encounter in 1 Samuel 17 didn’t go with borrowed tools but what he has. You cannot go far in your purpose when what you have in terms of tools, capacity and ideas are from others.
Let me explain this:
You want to start a business and all you bank on is someone’s idea. Think of a time when the person will no longer be available. For a short term benefit you can bank on other people’s resources but not on long term venture or life goal.
Some people remain in one place hoping and hoping… Ask them why they are not making move they keep recounting what they don’t have. Use what you have to get what you don’t have. David use his stone and sling to get at Goliath and there win his sword. At every point you have something.
Let’s pause for few minutes and ruminate: What do you have to start the pursuit of that lofty dream.
David was anointed as king… He began with good use of his sling and stones
There’s a place at the top for everyone if we will only focus on what we have and not on what we don’t have. Remember, borrowed tool will one day be taken away from you.
Leaders use what they have to get what they want.
2. Focus on the Target
David could decide to focus on fear, the big talk and taunt of Goliath, the fleeing Israelite. Not David. It takes laser focus to make such accurate aim. In many endeavours there will always be distraction, but keep asking yourself: What is the target?
I think I’ve failed here more than all of you. I get to certain place. Leave my target and begin to talk about the impossible task, the failing government, lack of money.
I think we can pause here and ask for forgiveness… Really, it’s not God keeping us down but our loss of target in most cases have caused our Goliaths to keep taunting us. Let’s pray for forgiveness brethren
Instance of this are the ten spies Moses sent to look over the land of Canaan which was the Promised Land. They were told to look at the land, instead they brought back negative reports. They lose target and purpose.
I remember a terrible but a funny incident in Benin years ago, a brother went preaching to a lady. Instead of winning the lady she won him to her bed as they slept together. The brother lost his target and he was given back bench in church for a while. This is how many of us behave in life
Never lose your target… That’s your pathway to the throne. his leads to the third
3. Make everything else your background
A picture isn’t complete without a background. Too much seriousness may harm the pursuit. In your pursuit you would have background activities, funs, games, etc. Only be sure you know what should be in the background. In the main arena of the battle, it was David and Goliath. In the background were the Israelites, Philistines and their kings. In the background were rocks, trees and vegetations. But what matters to decide is the conquest of either David or Goliath.
While David was increasing his focus, Goliath was being overtaken by pride. He brought himself down. The man with focus often win the race whether in business, academics, marriage and life generally. This is why a poor man may end up richer than the sons of multimillionaires if he understand the concept of focusing right.
4. Focus on your strength and experience
This is partly dealt with in 1 above. When you set forth on a new project, vision or idea, reinforce your commitment to the vision by listing your strength and experiences. If you do this none will be able to talk you down. David knew what he could do, so he refused to be talked down, scorned or discouraged.
Launch out a new dream or initiative based on your God given strength. Foundational to success is your intrinsic strength.
Like I’ll always say: the basic skill for your takeoff should never be borrowed. This is why you need your native strength. This is especially true for business and life generally. People tend to destroy you, eat you up for dinner and intimidate you when they know you don’t have much knowledge of what you want to undertake.
We have countless business owner who have more knowledgeable employees. They wake up one day and realize the business is gone. Experience is important and strength is crucial in building a formidable platform. Personally, I hate being at the mercy of anyone, not even the big government.
Caveat: In certain instances, when you have less knowledge of a venture or process, make sure you own the control.
5. Focus on Simplicity
While growing up, I thought complexity means greatness but when I became mature I began to seek how to make my life simpler. I noticed: the more I make things simpler, the more I began to succeed. You’re working among people, nobody wants to be bugged by complexity.
Leave the details and complexity to yourself.
The world want to see a seamless ease of engagement, use and application of your idea.
Goliath was an epitome of complexity while David was the epitome of simplicity. Goliath took along with him heavy armour while David dress lightly to enhance his agility and swiftness. Simplicity will always win over complexity in the big game of life. Let me give you an example. In graphics work, corporate organizations learn to use simple colours and fonts for advert and they gain more conversion. Small businesses use all sorts of colour like mascara… Complexity.
6. Focus on Truth
Truth doesn’t fail. When you want to be around for long, build on truth and character.
7. Focus on what should be done not the noise or approval
In the first place David was not approved to go fight Goliath. He was the most unlikely person to step out yet he went on. Champions don’t wait for approval, noise, applause or whatever. Instead they move on to do what should be done.
Here’s an example, when I write, I do it of duty and necessity. I don’t wait to see who’s following or who is not following. Do the needful… In the fullness of time, you’ll be followed. This is why when you’re learning to be focused you must learn to be alone.
When you breast the tape even the nay sayer will clap for you. They will all rant: We know you’ll make us proud. ??? Keep firing even when you have missed so much… Soon you will master the art .
8. Focus on important thing
This is the last. Always ask yourself: What are the important thing to do in this situation?
Here we are not talking about crisis ridden urgent matter. When you learn to do important things, crisis will significantly get reduce in your world.
Remember, important things are fewer. Focus on these. Trivial things are many, put them on the background. Because David mastered the art of focusing he rose to become outstanding general, statesman, king and man of God. His focused life put in in remembrance from generation to generation.
A focused life is an excellent life.
This is the end of this series.
