Whatever you focus on grows...

 

 

It’s all we can think and talk about, making it easy for us to send out a consistent message with our thoughts, words and actions all pointing in the same direction. Then, before we know it, whatever – or whomever (!) – it is has magically appeared in our lives. Hurrah! 

 

And it can apply to anything, big or small. The easiest example - and one we’ve all experienced before – is when we’re thinking about making a big purchase. Say, a new car. 

 

As we begin to think about it, we suddenly start to notice how many new cars there are on the road. Other people start talking about new cars, whether they’re still at the “thinking about it stage” or are further along with their purchase. There seem to be adverts and offers for new cars where ever we go. 

 

Then, as we start to narrow down exactly what we’d like, we start seeing more and more of that particular make, model and colour when we’re out and about. Where on earth have they all suddenly come from?!? 

 

And on it goes, gaining more momentum as we continue to give the lovely new car more and more of our attention. Then, before we know it, the new car is parked outside our house or on the drive. And this is how easy and enjoyable it can be to manifest our desires. 

 

Unfortunately, we’re much more adept at focussing on what we don’t want. Or fear appearing in our lives. Letting our ingrained survival skills rule the roost. Looking for possible threats and all the things we fear, rather than focussing on what we desire. 

 

Once again, we’ve all experienced this countless times before too (!). So, the last thing anyone needs is a graphic “doom and gloom” laden example. Instead, we’re going to give you one that’s more light hearted – to us, if not those concerned (!) – courtesy of two family members, who had better remain nameless... 

 

The first is obsessed with rabbits, particularly in her garden. How they manage to get through every tiny hole in the fence, the damage they do and how they are on the lawn every time she looks out of the window. She even sees them when she’s out and about or walking her dogs. She talks endlessly about them, even when she hasn’t seen a rabbit for days. The second rarely mentions rabbits. Or, if she does, that they always seem to be on the rough ground at the end of her drive. Her garden isn’t fenced and yet she doesn’t have any rabbits, despite all the things they could find to eat there if they wanted to. 

 

The difference is easy to see. The first only focusses on rabbits – whether they’re actually there or not (!) – while the second doesn’t even consider them. Her focus is on enjoying her garden and all the good things she can find there. Rabbits just aren’t on her radar. 

Sadly, all that focus on rabbits has ensured only one thing. That the problem grows. And grows. You could say it breeds like rabbits… Sorry, we couldn’t resist that one! 

 

Now here’s the thing that most people never realise. Whatever we focus on is like asking for it to appear in our lives. Or, if it’s already there, to multiply. Even worse, it then starts to draw in other things – or people – that are similar or, just as important, evoke similar feelings. 

 

It’s why we continue to see new vehicles of every description, long after we’ve purchased our lovely new car. Or, returning to the rabbits scenario (!), they seem to be joined by squirrels – “Have you seen what they do to the lawn AND destroy bird feeders?!?” – and don’t even mention slugs… It’s hardly surprising she felt as though her garden was being besieged by pests when, to everyone else, nothing seemed to be happening… 

 

So, once again, we’ve uncovered a very useful skill, albeit one we never realised we possessed. Unfortunately, most of the time we’re using it unconsciously, focusing on what we don’t desire – or actually fear – rather than what we do. 

 

With this new perspective, it’s easy to see why we got some of the results we did, even though they weren’t what we desired. It also explains why all those things we just KNEW were going to happen did. After all, having given whatever it was all our focus – helped along by lots of negative “I really don’t want this” feelings – how could it possibly be anything different?!? Contrary to popular belief it will NEVER cause the opposite to happen. That’s just the Little Monster in our Heads speaking… 

 

So, where are we going with this – that’s if you haven’t already guessed?!? 

 

Well, if you want to know where your focus has been recently, just take a look at what’s happening in your life right now. And, yes, we know that’s quite a scary thing to do and you probably don’t want to. Or, more accurately, the Little Monster in your Head doesn’t want you to. 

 

However, the good news is that until you know where you are right now, there’s nothing you can do about it. And, yes, that really is good news. Trust us. Until you’re aware of something, it’s invisible to you. 

 

If you desire something different in your life, then you HAVE to give it your focus and attention. Think of whatever it is as having already happened. Talk about it as though it’s already here. Act as though you already have it in your life. Imagine how good it feels. Revel in it. Have fun with it, really enjoy it. Keep your focus firmly on the end result you do desire. 

 

And don’t fall into that most cunning of traps courtesy of the Little Monster in your Head. Trying to work out HOW it will happen. All this will do is get you thinking about all the reasons it can’t happen and “hey presto” you’re back at focussing on what you don’t want.  

 

Nothing in life ever happens in exactly the way you anticipated, there are just too many variables to take into account. So, don’t waste time on trying to second guess THE HOW. Focussing on the end result is more than enough to get the ball rolling in the right direction and will open up the way for you, IF you let it. 

 

Now we know what some people will be thinking. That you must know what the problem is before you can do something about it. True, BUT ONLY as your starting point. Once you’ve done this, continuing to focus on it only makes things worse. Sadly, we’ve all got too many examples of this in our own lives… 

 

And don’t let the Little Monster in your Head convince you that you’ve failed if you don’t send out the same consistent message all the time. You never will! It’s simply to tip the scales in your favour by sending out the consistent positive message for the MAJORITY of the time. That’s all you have to do. 

 

This is why focussing on THE PROBLEM never works. It’s also the reason why the war on drugs / violence / poverty / fill in the blank can never be truly successful in the long term while the focus remains on the problem. And, sadly, we see this time and time again in mainstream media. 

 

Before we finish for today, one final little tip to make the whole process easier. It’s a quick and easy reminder that your focus is in need of change. That you don’t feel good as you go about your day REGARDLESS of what you’re thinking or talking about it at that particular time. Yes, it really is that simple. 

 

Feeling unhappy is ALWAYS a sure sign that your focus has changed to things you don’t want. It’s then up to you. To continue saying “yes” to all the other things you don’t want (!) OR turning your focus around 180 degrees to those you do. Goodness that feels better! 

 

As always, the choice is yours.