Focussing
What is it?
Being able to focus means you can concentrate on what is essential in the situation you are dealing with. You know how to avoid distractions and filter out non-essential information. This then helps you to sort information into categories and see how it is connected.
What does it look like?
There are lots of tips and tricks that you can find online to ‘help you focus’. These might include finding a quiet place to work, turning off distractions or even meditating. But the mindset that helps you to focus is just as important. For example, being able to regain your focus, even when things are not going your way — in other words, showing resilience. You could do this in different ways — for example, you could break the task in hand into smaller chunks or look at only one part of it.
In this clip, the tennis champion Roger Federer explains how he maintained his focus, against what seemed like big odds, to win a match:
“It’s all mental, you just have to believe” Learn how to concentrate like a world class performer. www.friendlyeyes.com
Reflection point
What helps you focus on a task?
Factors to consider when focusing on a task:
Environment
- What kind of environment do you like to work in?
- How does it help you focus?
Prioritising
- How do you work out the most important part to focus on?
Connecting
- How do work out connections between bits of information?
Other focusing skills
Sorting – The ability to sort information into categories and to understand the relationship between information
Attention – The ability to focus on the present and avoid distractions
Filtering – The ability to filter out non-essential information and focus on the essential problem at hand
Integrity
Acting with integrity means you are guided by your own set of values and principles. You are aware of how and why you behave the way you do, and the effect this has on other people. You are in control of your emotions, impulses and desires.
Reflection point
What words would you use to describe integrity?
Other integrity skills
Self awareness The ability to understand and manage emotions, recognise your strengths and weaknesses, and the way they impact on others
Ethics Being aware of your own personal values and principles
Self control The ability to exercise control over your own impulses and emotions
Adapting
What is it?
Being able to adapt means you are ready to cope with change. You respond positively and constructively to new ideas and experiences, and to unexpected challenges. You think about this and learn from it all, building your understanding of how things work.
In this video, the speaker describes how adaptability and resilience are both important skills in work and life.
This video introduces the concepts of resilience and adaptability.
Reflection point
Can you think of a time when you had to adapt to a situation? It could be something like a surprise visit from a friend or relative or your teacher asking you to do something unexpectedly. How did you adapt to the situation?
Other adapting skills
Openness – Being open to new ideas and approaches
Critical reflection – The ability to reflect on new knowledge andb experiences in order to gain a deeper understanding, to your extend learning
Adaptability – Flexibility when handling the unexpected, adapting to circumstances as they arise
Self-learning – The ability to self educate without the guidance of others
Resilience – Ability to respond positively and constructively to constantly evolving challenges
Initiative
Having initiative means you can think and act for yourself. You have confidence in your abilities and judgement, and can make decisions after careful consideration. You are willing to try new things and are not afraid to take risks to achieve a worthwhile goal. You can follow through on commitments, and take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.
Barak Obama
Reflection point
Acting on or using your initiative can involve taking risks, some of which will pay off and some of which will not. It’s OK to fail, but it’s also important to make sure that you are taking a ‘calculated risk’. This means taking responsibility — thinking through what you are planning, and perhaps talking about it with a family member, friend or mentor. It can be useful to get other people’s perspectives. Sometimes they have been in a similar situation in the past, and can give advice from their experience. This can make it easier for you to make a decision.
Talk to a trusted family member or mentor. Ask them about a time when they were innovative/courageous/enterprising or even risk-taking to meet a goal. How did it work out for them?
Other initiative skills
Courage – The ability to manage and overcome fear in order to take action
Independent thinking – The ability to think for one’s self and trust one’s own judgement
Risk taking – Doing something that involves danger or risk in order to achieve a Goal
Decision making – The act of making a considered choice after appropriately using intuition and careful thought
Self belief – A feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities and judgement
Self motivation – The ability to act without influence or encouragement from others
Responsibility – The ability to follow through on commitments, be proactive and take Responsibility
Enterprising – Willingness to take risks, show initiative and undertake new Ventures
Reflection
Reflection point
Think about a time when you have or should have shown any (or all) of the Self-management skills: Focusing, Integrity, Adapting, Initiative
Using your reflective journal (written or recorded), record your thoughts about that event or situation by answering these questions:
What
Describe what happened.
So what?
Discuss why you – and other people involved – acted the way you did, and what can you learn from this
Now what?
Identify what you could do in the future in a similar situation
