Attention Pays

CHAPTER 4Focus on VIPs: Systemize Thoughtfulness

Whatever we put our attention on will grow stronger.

—Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

With all respect to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, I would add one minor upgrade to this wisdom: “Whatever—or whomever—we put our attention on will grow stronger.”

Wanting and needing attention is a basic human need. It's how our brains are wired. As I said earlier, every person wants to feel that they are the center of somebody's attention, even if they don't want to be the center of everybody's attention.

Who in your life is getting your attention? And what kind of attention are they getting?

Your way of thinking, your attitudes, and your opinions affect how you determine with whom to invest your attention. We need to consider the people we want to be surrounded with, who we care for, and who deserve our attention. We also need to understand how we can give intentional attention to these very important people.

FOCUS ON YOUR VIPS

Who Needs Your Attention in Your Personal Life?

When speaking with audiences, I often ask, “What matters most to you?” Far and away, the most common response is always, “Family.”

The concept of family has different meanings, which can extend beyond blood relations. As a happy little Aussie (also a U.S. citizen), my American friends are the family I have chosen. (That doesn't make my Aussie family any less important.) For many of us, family might include neighbors, friends, and furry friends. Some people even enjoy their friends ...