It’s a wonderful thing to live with focus. Our heroes, whether historical or fictional, have all possessed it and there’s perhaps nothing as important, pertinent and critical to the survival of our humanity. Without it, our minds wander and our actions bear neither intent nor structure. In other words, our lives become little more than one big old mess (or a series of messes). In the absence of focus, we become absent of order and flow; we become lost.
“A confused mind always leads to confused action.” — J. Krishnamurti
What is it to be focused? Firstly, it means direction, a priority as to where to place our attention and energy. This is crucial for the artist who’s always dealing with complexity, both inwardly and outwardly. If he/she cannot know or see where to go, confusion and chaos will lead to all manner of troubles ahead. We all know this to be true; our temperment and our art bear evidence of this. If we focus on bad things, bad things come into view. An anxious, petty or frustrated mind delivers anxious, petty and frustrated results. We can not deliver anything other than what we are the time that we do.
“As a man is, so he sees.” — Willam Blake
Secondly, to find a focus implies seeing clearly. I’m referring of course to clarity of vision. Doing good art requires always a grounding of the self, a time and space for quiet listening and reflection. It’s taking that deep breathe needed to settle all the nerves and align the body before driving forwards towards any sort of action or goal. To arrive at an aligned space mentally requires not only silence but also a submission to the deeper self but not the ego. It’s a surrender to our intuitive urges amidst a crazy and noisy world, where thought will always try to interfere. When we awaken our sensibilities outside distraction’s subside, and we can hear the whispers of the heart. Then, taking that crucial first step — approached with a true beginner’s mind — becomes that much easier.
“A thousand mile journey begins with one step.” — Lao Tzu
Thirdly, focus is a journey that demands courage — a kind of fearlessness. The courage to be authentic yet watchful; always aware of our environment, paying deep attention to things. We need to see the big picture and mind the details, possessing both floodlight and spotlight focus abilities. As such, it means that we need to be strong, possess solid skills, and commit wholly to our craft. We cannot give in to external demands or any saboteurs. Then we can make art that’s worth connecting with. And we must be uncompromising about it because getting and staying focused is for us and on us — we, alone, are responsible.
“Our talents have to be nourished everyday through observation, analysis, discussion, application and doing.” — Eric Larson
So in summary, work with focus. Live with focus. And when that is not possible, don’t proceed. Rest, reflect and reassess. Reset and re-organize. Re-align yourself with priorities. And most importantly, recognize that you’re human and it’s okay that you’re not always “on.” Work only when you’re focused and be focused when you work.