EditorialsBy Matt Bud, Chairman, The FENG

So much for the “little engine that could!”

Give me an opportunity to obsess about some problem and I can guarantee you that not much will get done. First, I won’t be able to get a good night’s sleep, and then in my grogginess the following day, it will be suitably difficult to focus on any task. Basically, I may as well take the whole day off, or, the rest of the week!

The best problems to select are those you can’t do anything about. The war in Syria, the economy, the 2020 presidential election, the fact that it is raining (or isn’t) – almost anything will due.

Let this idea, whatever it is, take over your whole mind. Roll it over on its side, spin it around and examine it from every angle. Are you exhausted yet or what?

All kidding aside, it is difficult indeed to put your problems behind you, or at times to even stop thinking about them. It is sort of like that scene in “Ghost Busters” (the first one) where they were told to clear their minds and as a result of one of them not being able to do so, they were attacked by a giant Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.

However, harnessing your creativity REQUIRES the ability to concentrate on what is important.

Whatever it is that is on your mind, try to find some way to fix it. If you need to take a day and clean your desk, take a day and clean your desk. If the problem is of a personal nature, try to put the details down in writing and deal with them. Solving the kinds of problems we tend to obsess about will free your mind to a degree you can’t imagine.

I find that many of the things that occupy my mind late at night are not really all that important. When I am having a “bad time of it,” to prevent thinking about them, I keep a pad of paper at my bedside, and write them down. Most of what buzzes through my brain are things I need to take care of. I make a list. I reread it from time to time. Not having to hold these things in your consciousness makes that part of your thinking capability free to handle other matters.

Job search lacks routine. It is in a very real sense an unstructured project of sorts. Doing well at unstructured projects requires your full energy and undivided attention.

You can if you think you can. And, positive energy only comes with focus.

Can’t never could and we all know you can!

Regards, Matt

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