Continuing my miniseries on the 5 keys to an impactful life, today I want to focus on key #2: Focusing on What Matters.

Lack of direction, NOT the lack of time, is the problem. ~Zig Zigler

Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Focus on your character, and not your reputation. Focus on your blessing, and not your misfortune. ~Roy T Bennet

Focus goes hand-in-hand with key #1: Input. If you're focused on the right things, you'll take in the right things. You have to be aware, and put your focus in the right place.

Draw a picture of a venn diagram (three circles slightly overlapping each other, creating small overlapping areas with an area in the middle where all three circles overlap. These three circles represent your circle of concern, your circle of influence, and your circle of control.

Now I want you to write down a few things that you're concerned about. Create another list of the things that you have some influence over. Then write another list of the things that you can control. Some of these things might overlap.

Where you need to be placing your focus is on your circle of control. If some of those things overlap with the other circles, then those are the areas where you are likely to have a greater impact. Focus on those things, and you will be much happier for it.