56. The art of focus – Christina Bengtsson

Are we actually obsessing when we think we are focusing? Being able to focus is something much more profound than being able to peak perform, explains Christina Bengtsson. The definition of focus has been watered down.

”It is really about daring to find and concentrate on what you feel is important in your life. Following your heart, you might say. You may call that spiritual, but it doesn't matter. We don't need a name for it”, she says.

”To be in your heart is to reconnect with your core identity and find your core values. You find self esteem. Then you are closer to your gut feeling of what is right and wrong.”

Christina Bengtsson is an inspirational speaker, an author and a former military officer and world champion precision shooter.

Her military background has given her thousands of hours of focus practice. The military is in some respects better at focusing than other sectors of society. It is easier to do that when there is a threat. But in our safe, modern era the brain cannot see the difference between real and perceived dangers. It reacts to a pling from the phone as if it were a threat.

”We need to change the brain from automatic attention mode to more controlled attention mode.”

Focus is the absence of distractions. So how to remove yourself from the innumerable distractions of our time? What is required is discipline. The discipline to resist impulses, according to Bengtsson.

”Give yourself just two seconds to think before you post on social media, for instance, or before you say something to somebody.”

Christina Bengtsson is well aware of the teachings of Eckhart Tolle. Focus is presence, basically. Being in the now requires practice – and also an understanding of what being in the now means, she says.

She meets many business leaders who struggle to stay on target.

”But it’s a misconception that you must keep focus on your original goal. You must ask yourself: perhaps I can go even further. Perhaps I can find another dimension. Perhaps I am not focusing right now, perhaps I am obsessed.”

”Sometimes people lose their ability to focus by focusing too hard.”

Empathy is a shortcut to focus, Christina explains. It helps you be present when you are interacting with another person.

”So many people go around thinking they don't have time. But we live longer now than ever. I say differently: I have time. There are so many things I don't have to do.”

Christina Bengtsson’s website: www.christinabengtsson.com

Christina Bengtsson’s book ”The Art of Focus – 10,9”: https://amzn.to/3nMByTt