Article: What We Focus On Expands

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What we focus on expands. More specifically, what we focus our attention on will expand what we think about and what actions we take. How we relate to stress determines whether our thinking and actions expand our attention in a helpful or unhelpful way.

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First, do we see stress as a problem or opportunity? All learning will include some degree of stress so we need to embrace it. Let’s look at the stress associated with falling. “I dread falling” is framed as a problem to avoid. I refer to this way of thinking as “problem focus.” We could also see stress as an opportunity. “I’m curious about falling” is framed as an opportunity to engage. I refer to this way of thinking as “opportunity focus.”

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Next, our attention will expand a problem OR an opportunity. “I dread falling” expands attention of thought processes and actions to avoid falling. We’ll think of routes we want to climb that are comfortable for us and avoid stressful ones. A “problem focus” tends to cause actions that keep us in our comfort zones so we don’t learn.

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“I’m curious about falling” expands attention of thought processes and actions to engage falling. We’ll think about how to fall and routes where we could practice falling safely. An “opportunity focus” tends to cause actions that move us outside our comfort zones so we can learn.

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To be mentally fit we need to identify clearly what the tasks are in climbing. Doing this will expand our attention to think about and then act on those tasks. There are tasks to do when we stop to think, tasks to do when we commit to climbing, and tasks to do when we fall.

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Climbing is an opportunity we choose to engage. No one is forcing us to climb. Whether we are thinking, taking action, or responding to a fall, if we see stress as an opportunity–not a problem–then our attention will expand to maximize that opportunity.
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Your mind is where thinking occurs. But there is a part of you that is aware of the thinking. The essence of who you are and where you need to operate from, is that part. It is awareness. Awareness is the field or space where thinking can take place.

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You can focus awareness on what you intend to do. This is attention: the intentional directing of awareness. Attention is really all you can control. The physical characteristics of the route, and even internal processes within you, are out of your control. Even thinking is out of your control. All you can really do is direct attention to manipulate your thinking. For instance, you can focus attention on obstacles and difficulties, and defeat your effort before you even begin. Or, you can focus attention on possibilities, and helpful “possibility thoughts” are generated. This is how biofeedback works for other bodily processes. By focusing attention on slowing your heart rate, for example, it slows down.

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If you don’t operate from awareness, you get lost in thinking. You will think about skirting stressful situations and seeking comfort. Your mind’s comfort-seeking tendency will direct how your attention is utilized. Instead of letting your mind have its way, you need your attention to direct your mind’s thinking processes.

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Beliefs, values, and prejudices are all wrapped up in how you think. These concepts are dear to you and make you feel secure. To consider that they are “not you” is threatening.

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But fear lies within those thinking processes. This fear is not a logical, intelligent caution in the face of danger, but rather simple fear of the unknown. To break free from this fear you need to see thinking as something you do, not something you are, or even something you completely control. All you can control is how you focus attention. Fear is about what might happen, not what is happening. And “what might happen” originates not from the situation, but from your thinking mind. When you operate from awareness instead of your thinking mind, there is no space for fear.

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Understanding the difference between thinking and awareness is the foundational step to increasing mental fitness. Your essence is awareness, and if you operate from that essence you feel a power that the mind’s thinking processes can never attain.

Action Card - Front

Action Card - Back

Description:

Durable laminated card with the essence of the Warrior’s Way® material as outlined in The Rock Warrior’s Way book. Front side lists the seven  Warrior’s Way processes.

The back side has the Laser Beam showing how the action steps of the seven processes focus attention during the three phases of risk-taking.

$3.95

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