The Deadly “Third Rail”

I was waiting for the “el” train Saturday morning on my way to the office.  It was a beautiful, sunny morning.

On the elevated tracks were some employees of the railway doing some repairs.  I watched how they all comfortably moved about, gracefully stepping over the “third rail” like it was second nature.

If you don’t already know, the el trains here in Chicago not only run on the two rails that we’re all familiar with, but also on this extra third rail, which is electrified.  Supposedly it will fry you in a heartbeat if you so much as step on it.

This third rail sits outside of the first two rails.

This got me thinking.  The only sure way for these workers to avoid getting electrocuted is to stay between the first two rails.

And, not only will that keep them safe, it will get them to their destination (I guess I’m thinking now of the old-time hobos that would walk the tracks, waiting for a freight train to hop onto).

As we pursue our vision and our powerful goals, one of our most crucial allies is our ability to FOCUS.

Focus is like staying on the track.  Assuming that the track is heading to the right destination, all we need to do is stay on the track and keep moving.

Staying on the right track.  Focusing.   Here are some synonyms for focus:  aim, point, concentrate on, center on, zero in on,  zoom in on, pay attention to.

When we stay between the rails, our focus stays between the rails.

BUT, if we get off the track. we wander.  Here are some synonyms for wander:  amble, dawdle, meander, roam, drift, traipse, mosey, veer, swerve, deviate, and . . . get sidetracked!

This is OUR third rail!  Losing focus and wandering.  Drifting from our target.  Deviating from our destination.

No, this third rail won’t electrocute us, but too much wandering and lack of focus will kill our dream, project, or vision.

It’s literally impossible to succeed without focus (read my free eBook 7 Killer Mistakes and my mini-course for more on this essential quality).

Application

1) So, in the areas of your most important goals and highest priorities, how is your focus?  Is your “beam” as intense as a laser or as diffuse as a cheap flashlight with old batteries?

2) What things are getting in the way of your focus?  And remember, some of these “things” are people! (see recent blog, The 3 No’s).

3) What is ONE THING that you can begin doing this week to get your focus back?  Yes, this week, because seven days without focus makes one weak (get it?).

Any tips you can offer that have helped you stay focused?  Leave a comment and help us out!

--Sean Cox, Chicago

Scroll to Top