Specialization II

Being productive is not just a matter of working harder or putting in more hours at work. The real key to increasing productivity is specialization. While it's true that you can have a wide range of interests, if you want to be successful in your career, specialization is critical. Michael Jordan, the legendary basketball player, may have tried his hand at baseball and golf professionally, but it was basketball where he spent almost all of his waking seconds. The first thirty-five years of his life were spent playing basketball, and that was the reason he was so good.

The same goes for Renaldo, the Brazilian soccer player. Although he had skills for other sports, such as weightlifting and volleyball, he focused on soccer and became one of the best players in the world.

Outside the United States, highly productive people are productive because they focus on their energies. It's like the magnifying glass analogy. If you focus on a narrow point and concentrate all your productive energies, you will stand out from the competition and be able to accomplish much more.

Of course, not everyone knows what their area of expertise is. But that doesn't mean you can't be thinking about it every day, experimenting and trying new things, and discarding things that won't be your primary focus in life.

It's important to keep in mind that specialization doesn't just apply to work. It can also be useful in your personal life. For example, if you want to learn a new language, it's better to focus on one language rather than trying to learn several at the same time. If you want to improve your cooking skills, it's better to specialize in one type of cuisine rather than trying to learn everything.

Specialization can also help you keep your attention and avoid distractions. When you focus on a specific task, you are less likely to be distracted by other things. Also, by focusing on a specific task, you are more likely to complete it successfully.