#402: Where attention goes, energy flows
How a Super Bowl Weekend Meeting Changed the Fate of a Factory Forever
Where best to start this year than with attention, focus, or intention?
One of my favorite podcasts during my leadership and entrepreneurship journey has been Entrepreneurs on Fire, hosted by John Lee Dumas. I will give JLD credit for this quote about FOCUS, which is appropriate for today’s post.
FOCUS: Follow One Course Until Successful
In February 2005, the Philips organization spun off the division I worked for. The newco consisted of three facilities: one in Belgium, one in Mexico, and one in India. The Belgium and Mexico teams had already been working together for a few years, but the group from India was unknown to us. So why not have a management team meeting in India to introduce one another and learn more about capabilities and opportunities?
We met there for two and a half days, the weekend of another Patriot team winning the Super Bowl (see below for those details). I was immediately impressed with the organization. I suggested that part of our performance bonus should be tied to bringing new business to the India team. For the next several months after the visit, dozens of presentations were made worldwide about the capabilities and opportunities for our customers if they chose to utilize this new factory in our division. We focused our attention on this. And, as the title of this article states, where attention goes, energy flows.
I am proud to be the first salesperson outside India to develop a product manufactured there. It would be the first of many opportunities started because management paid attention to it. We followed one course until it was a success. That was 20 years ago. Since then, the facility in India has nearly tripled and become one of the group’s crown jewels.
Success Begets Success
Many authors have written about success. In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill discusses the concept of momentum in success, stating:
"Success attracts success, and failure attracts failure because of the law of harmonious attraction”
In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell discusses the” Matthew Effect,” which essentially means that initial advantages or successes lead to more opportunities for success. He often quotes from the Gospel of Matthew:
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath”
The idea that success leads to more success is intuitive and supported by various psychological and sociological theories. It’s all about momentum, confidence, skill accumulation, network effects, and sometimes how public perception and opportunities change when someone is seen as successful. This concept is often discussed in business, sports, and personal development, where early wins can lead to further achievements.
So, what success will you achieve? Where will you focus your attention over the next period? Remember, as JLD says, you should stay on that course until successful.
If you are having trouble focusing and staying on course, maybe a coach could help. I have room for a few new clients going into 2025. If you need an accountability partner, let’s talk. Please set up a 30-minute free consultation to see how it could work! Remember, it’s hard work today, but it will lead to a better tomorrow.
On a side note
This weekend trip to India was Super Bowl Weekend in February 2005. Having never missed a Super Bowl (yes, I’m that old), I was a little upset about the timing of the meeting. My wife planned on recording it the old-fashioned way, with VHS tapes, and I would watch it when I landed on that Monday morning.
Besides the 21 hours of travel time, the challenge was to stay in the bubble and not listen to anything at the various airports I would be traveling through. I wore headphones and listened to books on tape (real tape, yes, it was that long ago), music, and anything else I could do to stay busy.
As I boarded my last flight, the Pilot announced that his crew was from Boston, where the Patriots home field is. They promised to keep everyone up-to-date and would announce each scoring play. I begged the flight attendant to ask them not to do that, but they insisted too many people wanted to know.
I overcame the loudmouth pilots by blocking out every outside noise and sound. I was successful because I focused on what was in front of me and made it through the entire trip without having any idea who won. I was well rested because I forced myself to sleep. I came home to watch the Patriots beat the Eagles 24-21. It took two VHS tapes, and I owe this to my lovely wife, who also remained focused on the task at hand, diligently making sure it was recorded for me.
FOCUS - It works everywhere you apply it!