Controlled attention is simply the process of coordinating all of the mind’s faculties and using their combined power toward a definite purpose. Controlled attention maximizes its power when it is mixed with the other principles of success.
The concentration of a single idea has resulted in untold accomplishments for the betterment of millions of people all over the world. One example of the concentration of a single idea was carried out successfully in the health care field. A single idea to eradicate the disease of polio that had taken the lives of many and left countless others crippled.
Other successful concentrations of a single idea are the work of the Gates Foundation and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. They have helped millions of people in the poorest communities around the world. In places where it is needed the most.
Mother Teresa controlled her attention to feeding, clothing, and caring for the poor people of this world. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on “empowering the poor, combating infectious disease, and inspiring people to take action.” This is based on their Foundation’s premise that “All lives have equal value.”
In order to carry out your Definite Major Purpose, you need Controlled Attention. The singularity of mind. All the other principles of success benefit from the use of Controlled Attention.
Napoleon Hill said that we can reach our own noble Definite Major Purpose if we learn the power of Controlled Attention. Keep your mind off the things you don’t want. Concentrate and keep your mind on the things you want! In this manner, we all can make the world a better place in which to live.
Concentration on one’s major purpose projects a clear picture of that purpose upon the conscious mind and holds it there until it is taken over by the subconscious and acted upon. This is called controlled attention.
Controlled attention is the act of coordinating all the faculties of the mind and directing their combined power to a given end. It is an act that can be achieved only by the strictest sort of self-discipline. The attention that is not controlled and directed may be nothing more than idle curiosity. The word control is the key to thought power.
You may achieve controlled attention by the application of the following six factors, through the application of self-discipline:
a. Definiteness of purpose, the starting point of all achievement.
b. Imagination, through which the object of one’s purpose is illuminated and mirrored in the mind so clearly that its nature cannot be mistaken.
c. Desire, turned on until it becomes a burning desire that will not be denied.
d. Faith in the ultimate achievement of your purpose. This faith must be so strong that you can already see yourself in possession of the object of your definite major purpose.
e. Will-power, applied continuously, in full force, in support of faith.
f. The subconscious mind picks up the picture conveyed to it by the foregoing factors and carries it to its logical conclusion by whatever practical means may be available, according to the nature of your purpose.
Effective concentration, or controlled attention, then, requires that your attention be fully controlled and directed toward a definite end. Controlled attention is the highest form of self-discipline.
Thus it is obvious that all the previously mentioned principles of this philosophy blend with, and become a part of, the principle of controlled attention. If you have mastered these previous principles, and have followed the instructions given, you are now ready to take complete charge of your mind power and direct it to whatever ends you desire, with reasonable assurance that you will not fail.
It is not the intent of this philosophy to suggest to anyone the nature of the purpose or objective that he should desire. The Creator has provided every person with the privilege of directing his thoughts and desires to ends of his own choice. Therefore reason and common sense impel us to follow that example.
We can state, however, with emphasis born of great faith, that controlled attention places one on the road to achieving the master key to the power of the mind. It is a scientific method of contacting and drawing upon Infinite Intelligence for the supply of all human needs. We believe in these truths because we have seen them demonstrated under a great variety of circumstances.
Controlled attention is organized mind power!
When it is applied as a prayer, controlled attention gives you direct contact with the Source of all power. This is an inescapable conclusion and has the hearty support of every accurate thinker.
Source: PMA Science of Success Pages 331 – 333
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Life’s Shopping List
In today’s fast-paced society, we all find ourselves often facing the dilemma of having more tasks to complete than there are hours in the day. People have adopted all manner of tools to assist them in getting as much done as possible. There are fancy calendars, “to-do” lists, priority sheets, computerized day planners, and Palm Pilots, just to mention a few. While all of these may be helpful in their own way as we navigate through the daily struggle between problems and priorities, there is a much more important issue to be addressed: Do you have a system of priorities for your life?
Unfortunately, when we do not have a firmly established
priorities, we are controlled by people who do.
We would not think of going to the grocery store without a shopping list, lest we come home without some critical item; but few of us have a shopping list for life. We know all of the things we want to get done today or even this week, but we haven’t taken the time to think about real long-term priorities.
You can complete every task on your list every day, but if you don’t have your priorities in place for your life, you will not succeed in really making a difference in the world. Having life-long priorities will enable you to take control of your daily schedule because you will be able to judge each activity in light of how it will affect your overall priorities. Unfortunately, when we do not have firmly established priorities, we are controlled by people who do. People will call upon you repeatedly throughout the day for various tasks, missions, contributions, etc. While these may be worthwhile, they are really furthering someone else’s life priorities. Until you have your own priorities firmly established, you will fall victim to all manner of detours along the way.
I would highly recommend that—if you do not have your life’s shopping list prepared—you squeeze into your daily calendar a specific time to consider all of the possibilities that lie before you. Life offers unlimited menu selections. There are no right or wrong answers. The only mistake is not making a selection. If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you ever know when you get there? People who don’t make a choice are no better off than people who don’t have a choice.
If you don’t know where you’re going, how
will you ever know when you get there? People
who don’t make a choice are no better off
than people who don’t have a choice.
All of our lives will be busy, and we will all end up somewhere. Why not dedicate a portion of your daily activities toward reaching your own destiny?
Today’s the day!
Source: Wisdom for Winner, vol 1, by Jim Stovall
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Steven Ransom 