What Gets In The Way Of Making Things Happen?

Ever wondered what gets in the way of making things happen? Just when you're onto something big...
The discussion goes round in circles.
No one can understand what is blatantly clear to you.
People lose the plot or get stuck and then...
Your brilliant idea gets blasted.
How did we lose sight of the possibilities? What got in the way? It's all about where we focus attention.
The Five Levels of Focus Dr David Rock describes the Five Levels of Focus 1.
OUTCOME - what outcome do you want to achieve? 2.
PLANNING - what factors do you need to consider to achieve the outcome? 3.
DETAIL - so now, what 3 most important actions do you need to take? 4.
PROBLEM - what specifically went wrong? How did it happen? 5.
DRAMA - whose fault is it? Why did it happen? Where is your organisation's focus? Where is the bulk of attention focused in your organisation? Above the line or below the line? If it's like most others, probably below.
Watch what happens in meetings, one-on-one discussions, planning sessions and reviews.
Listen to the gist of conversations.
It seems we have developed a habit of sinking into drama and problems.
And then they cripple us.
David Rock reminds us that it is our choice where we focus our attention.
There's a ring to the statements and questions related to each level.
Can you pick them up in your workplace? Drama sounds like this:

• "%x&q#!!!! Why can't somebody just sort this (bleep) mess out!?" - a loud, angry voice
• "Surely to goodness they know we need the equipment now, not next year" a frustrated, loud angry voice
• "They never think of me when they make decisions" - a pathetic whine

Problems hardly need explanation:

• "We don't have the resources to be able to do this.
  We'll have to shelve it.
  "
• "The plan has been blocked by the Logistics Department.
  "
• "We can't move on this because of the breakdown in the plant"

When we switch focus from Drama to Outcome But what happens when we focus attention on the vision, the end objective or the desired outcome? It sounds like this:

• "But what is the end result we are all committed to?"
• "Our main objective is to increase sales.
  Let's focus on that.
  "
• "What would it look like if we got this right?"

The energy changes.
The impossible fades.
Negative emotion disappears.
We start to make new connections.
Possibilities emerge.
Solution-focused thinking kicks in, and fresh ideas start to flow.
We begin to figure out how to make things happen.
Planning begins.
Detail can follow.
We can make things happen by watching where people focus attention.
Then consciously shifting the discussion above the line.
Leave the drama and the problems.
Keep focus on the outcome and planning.