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v_gurucharan

"Concentration is the Most Important Intellectual Habit of Man."

Not one person in ten thousand can really concentrate. Some realize that they do not know how?others drift along the line of least resistance and let their minds vegetate, apparently never suspecting their weakness or realizing that they are an utter failure at concentration. To Cori-centre?bringing all your mental force and faculties to bear steadily on a given center with-out deviation from that exact point?whipping into line all wandering fancies?stray ideas or thoughts that go off on a tangent?to hold steadily all your power on the central thing under consideration without an instant of wavering?that is Concentration.

This ONE THING I Do

A difficult thing to do, and very few minds can do it. St. Paul gives us the shortest definition of concentration on record when he says, " This one thing I do," short, but tremendously significant. Another Bible definition is excellent: " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Some men work that way, intense fellows--brilliant professional men?big business men?executives?leaders in the world of finance?science?invention?literature?education?it matters not what kind of work, the point is that when these men pitch hay, they pitch hay ?when they write a book, they write a book?when they manage a sales campaign, they man-age a sales campaign. That one thing they do at that one time, and nothing else, and every ounce they have goes into the doing. But back of all this has been a lot of mental discipline, a lot of habit-forming, a lot of brain-building. Let us consider some of the steps by which they have climbed. To the ambitious student, I offer five practical aids to concentration, planned to meet the needs of one who wishes to build from the ground up. We must assume as prerequisites, interest and attention, which have already been discussed.

AIDS TO CONCENTRATION

These aids will do more than help you to follow a memory course; they deal with your daily work. Concentration applies to all the activities of life. It should be established as a life habit. To all who think, I bring this message, Think it with thy might. Make a business of doing one thing at a time with all your soul. Chesterfield was right when he said, " There is time enough for everything in the course of a day if we do but one thing at a time, but there is not time enough in a year if we try to do two things at a time."

PERIODICAL RELAXATION

It may seem paradoxical that the first aid to better concentration refers to relaxation. But I have observed that some of the most intense intellects fail in their concentration because they never relax. Failure to let go between efforts is their chief stumbling block. They keep them-selves tense, nervous, " keyed-up " all the time, even when there is no need for it, thereby wasting nervous energy. They find it very difficult to " let go "?to relieve the high-tension by a little natural, wholesome relaxation. Possibly they feel like the Irishman who was trapped on the fourth floor of a burning building. He fought his way to the window but was afraid to jump. The flames drove him on until he was hanging to the window ledge with his hands. His friends, in the street below, seeing the walls were about to fall, kept shouting at him to " let go." Finally, he growled back at them between set teeth?" How kin I let go when it's all I can do to hang on? " But we must learn to let go?to relax completely?before each period of in-tense concentration. Here is the working principle: Relaxation precedes perfect concentration. A delightful illustration of this point is given by Elizabeth Towne.

Six puppies were playing in the barn. The barn door was closed and with the world shut out, they were giving themselves up completely to the; spirit of play. Two of them were staging a mock battle over a feather, while the others were rolling over and over in the loose straw on the barn floor in utter enjoyment.

Suddenly the barn door softly creaked. 'Instantly every puppy came to attention; heads up ?tails up?bodies rigid?bright eyes fixed in intense concentration on that door, as it slowly swung open. A moment before they had been in a state of complete relaxation. Now, they offered a perfect example of concentration as they stood at attention, waiting and watching for the unknown danger that Might be coming from the other. Side of the barn door.

All great mental achievement has been preceded by periods of absolute rest or relaxtion! During.this time fatigue disappears the nervous forces. recuperate and the minds-stores up fresh energy axed establishes a reserve to draw upon during" the hours of intense concentration demanded by the. big task high lies must ahead.

Very often this preparation period of relaxation determines. the success or failure of the uder taking.-Herbert -Spencer, once made, a speech on.," The Gospel "of Relaxation will, which he pointed ,out that continual tress and strain high tension without periods relaxation were responsible for much chronic fatigue and many a nervous breakdown. is far better to indulge. It in an voluntary let down than: to Offer an involuntary breakdown, Different .people take their relaxation best in different ways, but, whether in complete rest, of play or wholesome laughter, it must come before any sustained effort of concentration. Nature itself requires cycles of growth and rest. Take your breathing spell before the battle.

MENTAL FREEDOM

The next step is to free the mind. Nothing is of greater aid to concentration. In fact, unless you are able to do this, concentration is impossible. When. harassed by the three devils, hurry, worry, and f ear, the mind never has a fair chance to center on anything. " Worry generates a poison at the roots of memory." But in your period of relaxation, you have an excellent opportunity to free the mind?now is your chance to eliminate all mental handicaps and get ready for the race. Not only hurry, worry, and fear must be thrown overboard, but anything and everything that troubles you and disturbs your serenity and your peace of mind. Out they go ! You should not indulge in day-dreaming, either, or mental drifting. Clear the mental horizon; give yourself a clean slate to write upon when your hour of concentration comes. And when it comes, if you have availed yourself of these first two aids I have given, you will be, possessed of that rare thing, mental poise.

THE PROPER ENVIRONMENT

In order to keep it, utilize the third aid: right conditions. Now, it is true that a trained mind can concentrate under any conditions?in the roar and din of .crowded cities or the busy hum of traffic?in the midst of telephone calls or a thousand and one other interruptions. Some men can concentrate on a mental problem while walking down a Chicago street and never hear the roar of the elevated or see the hurrying throngs. I have seen men write on a crowded street car perfectly oblivious to the people about them, not even hearing their own stations when called. But these men were already masters of concentration, and I am addressing my remarks to those who have not yet learned how to concentrate. Therefore, it is only a matter of common-sense to make conditions as favorable as possible. Give your mind a fair chance. Concentration is difficult enough, even under the best conditions. I would suggest that you seek a quiet place free from all distractions (and noise is a terrible distractor), a place free from all interruptions which may break your train of thought (and a telephone is a terrible interruptor), a place where you can be alone, free from all outside influences (and a friend who " must drops in " is a terrible outside influence), and a place of pleasing environment, beautiful or otherwise, where the atmosphere is right for you. I mean atmosphere in its fuller sense, although an abundance of sweet, fresh air is necessary. A well-poised mind can create its own atmosphere which inspires the individual, puts him at his best, is strongly conducive to good mental work, and has much to do with his success in concentrating. Not alone for the beginner, but I may safely say for the majority, is this true. In fact, some of our greatest creative thinkers absolutely insist on right conditions and the right kind of a place in which to produce their master-pieces. True, good books have been written in mail?great poems written in the trenches?masterly speeches conceived on an express train. But in every case there was a degree of concentration strong enough to rise triumphant above the environment.

Atmosphere--environment?these things differ with the individual?it's all in the mind. One man may do his best work seated in a luxurious chair in his beautiful and artistic study--another may reach his highest plane of creative thinking while sitting under a lone pine-tree on the crest of a hill. Choose your own place for concentration, but remember that solitude has always been, in all the history of mental achievement, a requisite for great work.

Solitude calls forth the mood of receptivity. Only then do we get the best. Great things are worked out in silence. Then come the flashes of inspiration?the new visions. Emerson tells us that " Solitude is to genius the stern friend?the cold, obscure shelter, where mould the wings which will bear it farther than suns or stars," and we have this thought from Carlyle: " Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together?that at length they may emerge full-formed and mamestic into the delight of life?which they are henceforth to rule."

The great poems written in lonely garrets?the masterpiece paintings conceived by the artist amid the fields?the divine harmonies first heard by the musician communing with the stars?the sublime oration which first stirred the soul of the orator as he tramped in the forest?all attest that the best comes to man when he is alone.

Witness Burns?the Scotch peasant among the daisies pouring out the lyric songs which to- day touch sympathetic hearts the " warld o'er."

Witness Emerson?bidding good-bye to the proud world and retiring to that Sylvan Home, " bosomed in yon green hills "?and there creating his incomparable essays.

Witness Demosthenes?on the seashore?building to the big music of the waves his match-less oration on the Crown.

Witness Byron?alone on the Alps?writing by the glare of the lightning flash his magnificent description of the Thunderstorm.

And today right in this practical present?thousands of our most successful business men have learned this secret?that by getting alone?they can gain new efficiency?and think out better plans for managing their daily affairs.

History will bear me out in the statement that to bear Solitude well is a mark of greatness. Look at Lincoln?back there in the country for the first thirty years of his life, nourishing his own soul and disciplining his own mind.

Hillis has well said, " What a college and a crowd could not do for thousands of young men ?Solitude did for the rail-splitter's son. Alone he sailed the seas of thought with God for his only companion, till at last he stood forth, a mountain-minded man."

A DEFINITE SCHEDULE

The fourth aid to concentration, is a very practical one: make a daily schedule. In the first place, such a schedule saves an inconceivable amount of time. Harrington Emerson, in his noted book, Twelve Principles of Efficiency, lays great stress upon the necessity and value of a written daily schedule. But what has this to do with concentration as applied to memory, you may ask? Simply this?your daily schedule helps to focus the mind, holds it steadily to one thing at a time and in the right order. Following a logical sequence tends to eliminate con-fusion.

It has been demonstrated in efficiency tests over and over again that time and energy are lost not so much on the operation itself as in passing from one operation to another. So in our mental operations, failure to move smoothly from one thing to another results in confusion. And when confusion comes, concentration goes. A definite daily schedule is a wonderful aid in keeping the mind on the right track. It often proves to be the salvation of those who have been unable to concentrate. Try it.

Some days seem especially designed for goofing off. We get to the office full of high resolve, only to watch the minutes and hours dribble away in unproductive activity.

We look over the newspaper, amazed that we never realized before how interesting the shipping news was. We check with coworkers to see how things are going at their end of the shop. We gaze out the window, wondering what the weather is like in Paris at this time of year. Suddenly, nothing will do but to rearrange our files?what a great time to discard unnecessary papers! Before you know it, lunch time is on the horizon?no point in settling down to serious work now. May as well call home and see what's cooking there. And on and on and on...

Perhaps no human activity generates as little interest as the ability to rivet one's attention on a particular subject and obliterate all other consideration for a time?that is, concentration. Yet, without it, we wouldn't learn anything; or get our jobs done; or enjoy a book, movie or play; or be able to drive any distance; or hold up our end of a conversation.

Under pressure, we have all drawn upon special resources that have enabled us to perform at our optimum levels. Not the least of these resources is a single-mindedness of purpose that allows us to drive out all thoughts that do not contribute immediately to the work at hand.

The key to concentration is learning to create this single-mindedness of purpose at will.

It can be done, of course. In fact, it must be learned and cultivated, for no one is born with the ability. Watch any child and you will see how short the human span of attention is before it is consciously put under control. A kid will riffle through a magazine or book for a minute or so, throw it aside, tackle a game or puzzle, only to desert that too in favor of television, then give up everything and ask his mother, "What should I do now?"

No article is going to change your habits in 15 minutes, certainly, but it may serve to remind you of certain fundamentals that, in turn, will enable you to concentrate your full brain power and energies on whatever task needs doing. The first step in enhancing your ability to concentrate, obviously, is to:

SELL YOURSELF ON THE BENEFITS OF CONCENTRATION. One way to do this is to view the job in intensely personal, even selfish, terms. By answering the question, "What's in it for me?" you will gain the necessary impetus to dive in with all your energy. Maybe the answer is, "I'll impress the boss." Perhaps it's "I'll be able to shoot up to the country with the family for a long weekend." But find the emotional reason for concentrating and you will soon persuade yourself to concentrate.

If that doesn't work, try this approach: Ask yourself, "What do I stand to lose if I don't buckle down?" It may mean having to work over the weekend?the loss of a big account?disgrace in your boss's eyes. But somewhere there is a built-in threat of loss in not concentrating, be it money, prestige, time or money. Whatever it is, identify it?and run scared.

SHUT OUT THE WORLD. Jean Kerr, play-wright and mother of five, found peace and quiet in her car, parked several blocks from her home, cut off from family, friends and telephone.

You may not be able to run away quite so completely, but there are a few steps you can take to shut out the world.

Rearrange your lunch hour so that you're on the job when your coworkers are out eating. Result: 60 blissful minutes of golden silence, excellent for concentration.
Eliminate the means of escape. Everyone has their own method of avoiding work and, as we have noted, man is at his most ingenious in devising excuses for not tackling a chore. Some don'ts:
Don't have a copy of your favorite magazine or newspaper within easy reach.
Don't place your desk in front of a window with an interesting view.
Don't attempt serious concentration with someone else in the room.
Don't start a job without first anticipating all the tools you will need; A simple trip to a supply room can snap the delicate thread of concentration.

How Creative Are You?

Are you an originator?

To a degree, everyone is. But most of us don't realize anything like our true potential as "idea people" because we apparently lose some of our more uninhibited creative powers in the process of growing up. As we mature in other ways, something happens to the soaring imagination of childhood that once so easily turned a cumulus cloud into a fire-breathing dragon or a darkened wood into Camelot.

The following quiz should give you some idea of how much of your original creativity you still possess and indicate areas where you might fruitfully seek to improve.

Do you tend to accept things as they are because you assume, "If improvements could be made, they would have been made by people smarter than I"?
Do you ever challenge company policies or methods?
Do you always insist on doing things "by the book," or are you satisfied to get the job done, regardless of whether a few rules are bent in the process?
Deep down, do you fear ridicule of your ideas?
Do you have a reputation in your organization for being an "idea person"?
Do you enjoy experimenting with new methods and techniques?
When something makes you angry, or takes too long, or costs too much, or is wasteful in some way, do you simply mutter about it?or recognize it as a fertile area for investigating possible improvements?
Do you have confidence in your ideas and judgment, or does one discouraging word throw you?
Do you have the patience to toy with a problem, turning it over in your mind until a new perspective or insight present themselves?
When something you observe in another field strikes you as ingenious or remarkable, do you seek ways to adapt it to your own needs?
Are you amenable to suggestions from others?
Are you stubborn in the best sense of the word, unwilling to give up when something has you stymied?
What as the last good idea you had?
What made it particularly special?
How did you hit upon it?
Do you ever doodle your way to creativity by "playing" on paper with the factors involved in a problem?
Have you identified the people in your organization whose expertise and advice can be drawn upon from time to time to prime the wells of your own thinking?
Do you tried to read widely outside your own specialty?
Are you drawn to games and other leisure activities that require creative thinking (e.g., chess, puzzles, Scrabble, sketching, painting)?
Are you tolerant of new, untried ideas, regardless of their origin?
What is the biggest problem currently facing you at work?
What have you done about solving it?
Have you contacted anyone who has faced a similar problem in the past, with a view to drawing upon his or her expertise?
When faced with a problem, do you try to isolate the key element, on the supposition that if you can crack it, everything else will fall into place?
Do you view idea creation as partly fun?

Simple Time Stretchers
If you considered how your work day is spent, chances are you would find that almost all of it is devoted to just a few activities: reading, writing or dictating, telephoning and talking to people in person.

Because these four major activities usually take place in a haphazard way, valuable time is frequently wasted in looking for things?making the mental "switch" from one to another?backtracking and so on.

Try this: build your day around these duties. That is, set aside a period of time exclusively for making telephone calls, another for dictating letters and memos, a third for reading, a fourth for personal interviews. Of course, you will have to make allowances for the unexpected, but by segmenting your day you will almost surely get more done with a minimum of conflict.

Some additional time-savers:

BE DECISIVE. Once you have all the facts of a matter, make a decision and act.

JUMP RIGHT IN. Sharpening pencils, window gazing or looking over the daily crossword puzzle can waste valuable time in the morning. Get started promptly; avoid procrastination.

BE AN EARLY BIRD. More and more managers get to the office before their staffs so that they can plan their day in uninterrupted calm.

POLICE YOUR TIME. Use travel time, waiting time or eating time for planning activities, thinking out problems, reading or jotting down ideas for future implementation.

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