There’s a war going on for our attention.
Each day we get hundreds of ads and asks. We get sponsored social posts and e-newsletters. We watch TV commercials. We see product packaging and pop-up ads.
Companies compete hard to make you look.
The desire to win awareness extends to our co-workers, business partners and clients. There’s a lot of people craving a piece of that pie. People are constantly tapping us to tackle problems, develop new ideas and deliver meaningful results.
Big brands have it all figured it out. They know the exact value of our focus and will pay a pretty penny to capture it.
Consider this: Companies are willing to dole out more than 5 million dollars for a 30-second Super Bowl spot. How much power could we harness if we treated every 30 seconds of our time as a million-dollar commodity?
Ultimately, giving our undivided attention to someone or something sends a clear message about what we value most.
While we can’t control who or what is fighting for that attention, we can control where we look.
To fully focus on the right people and things in our lives, it’s important to take a step back and ask: Who are we allowing to have our attention? And what needs our attention next?
Fine-tuning our awareness strengthens corporate culture by letting people know their presence and participation are valued. Likewise, focusing on key organizational goals helps teams understand what we care about and seek ways to support that vision.
What’s earning your attention these days? And does it align with the message you want people to receive?
Jason V. Barger is a globally celebrated keynote speaker, leadership coach and author of Thermostat Cultures, Step Back from the Baggage Claim and ReMember. He is founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting, a Columbus-based company that works with businesses and organizations worldwide. Connect via email at jason@JasonVBarger.com or on social media at @JasonVBarger.
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