The Power of Your Will

When was the last time you went an entire hour without reaching for your phone?

Imagine what you can accomplish when you do!

If you’re like most successful, high-achieving people I know, maybe it’s been a while. That’s because focus isn’t as simple as turning distractions off.

And here’s what I’ve learned: sustained focus doesn’t come from luck or personality, it comes from developing one of your most powerful mental faculties: your Will. And in today’s distraction-heavy world, a strong Will isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

The Distraction Epidemic

We live in an attention economy where every app, every platform, and every device is designed to capture and fragment your focus. Studies indicate that the average person checks their phone over 50 times per day. We've trained our brains to expect constant stimulation and immediate gratification.

But here's the cost: this scattered attention is compromising your ability to do deep, meaningful work. It's preventing you from holding steady focus on your most important goals. And it's keeping you from accessing your full potential.

The solution isn't to eliminate all distractions; that's impossible in our modern world. The solution is to strengthen your Will so you can choose where your attention goes, regardless of what's happening around you.

Your Will: The Focusing Faculty

Your Will is the mental faculty that allows you to hold one single idea or image in your mind, to the exclusion of all outside distractions. It's like having a spotlight in a dark room - you get to decide what gets illuminated and what stays in the shadows.

When I worked with high-level executives in the investment world, I noticed something interesting. The most successful leaders weren't necessarily the smartest or most experienced. They were the ones who could maintain unwavering focus on their strategic vision, even when markets were volatile and pressures were intense.

They had developed their Will.

The Movie Screen Method

Here's how you can start building this faculty today:

Set aside five minutes. Find a quiet space. Close your eyes and imagine the screen of your mind like a movie theater screen. Now, project a clear image of one of your goals with your desired outcome.

Maybe you see yourself confidently presenting to the board. Maybe you see yourself running your own successful company. Whatever it is, make the image vivid. See the details. Feel the emotions. Experience it as if it's happening right now.

When your mind wanders, and it will, don't judge yourself. Notice the distraction and gently redirect your attention back to your image. This redirection is the exercise. Each time you do it, you're strengthening your Will.

The Double Benefit

This practice serves two purposes. First, you're building your capacity for sustained focus, a skill that will serve you in every area of life. Second, you're programming your subconscious mind with clear images of your desired future.

Your subconscious doesn't distinguish between real and imagined experiences. When you consistently visualize your goals as already achieved, your subconscious begins to accept this as reality and starts aligning your actions, decisions, and even opportunities to make them a reality.

Your Next Step

Your Will is a faculty, not a fixed trait. It can be developed, strengthened, and directed. In a world where most people let their attention scatter in every direction, the person who can focus their Will on what truly matters has an enormous advantage.

Start today. Give yourself the gift of five minutes, and focus on one clear image of your desired future. And each time your mind wanders, use your Will to bring it back home.

This is how you build the mental muscle that changes everything.

Your attention is your most valuable asset so don’t leave it unprotected. If you’re ready to reclaim your focus and put it to work on your biggest goals, book a time with me today