One of the points that people are taking away from Malcolm Gladwell’s new book Outliers is that to be great at something – you need to put in the time.

Greatness isn’t born overnight.
It is, in part, a matter of “duration”. The time factor.

If you’ve been playing the piano or studying the market for a month – you’re not going to be great. Put in around 10,000 hours and you have a shot at mastery.

But, just putting in the time isn’t enough.
Doggedly hanging in there and patiently applying the duration factor – on it’s own – won’t do it. It’s not just a matter of time. There’s also the factor of intensity.

What is intensity?
Intensity is focus.
Your capacity to focus fully and without distraction – is the measure of your intensity.
The deeper your focus – the higher your intensity factor.
The more scattered your focus – the lower your intensity factor.

The highest level of intensity is when you can completely and effortlessly put your attention on what you’re doing. Distractions – internal or external – fade away and you’re fully absorbed in the task.

That’s what intensity is.
But, it’s also important to understand what intensity isn’t.
Because many people confuse emotionality with intensity.

Emotionality isn’t the same thing as intensity.
Getting emotionally revved-up about what you’re doing is different from being intensely focused.

Look at the fans at a Sunday football game. Faces painted with their team colors. Screaming.
Attend a political rally. Flags waving. Tears flowing.
Or a rah-rah motivational seminar.

If you get swept up in the atmosphere of those events, your whole body can be churning with excitement. Being pumped-up, emotionally high can be a thrilling experience.

But, this kind of emotional fervor rarely translates well into sustained focus. And it takes sustained focus to be good at anything. To realize your goals.

Emotionality dissipates energy.
Intensity focuses energy.

Emotions are inherently unstable and changeable.
It’s their nature. Sometimes happy. Sometimes sad.
Emotions wax and wane. Ebb and flow.
And when your attention is directed by emotions – then it waxes and wanes with the swings of your mood.
Which makes for inconsistent focus. Thus, inconsistent action.

In terms of creating results, emotionality is unreliable.
What works is deep, sustained focus.

When you combine deep focus (intensity) over time (duration) – you have a formula for developing mastery.

So, it’s not just putting in the time. It’s the quality of attention that you bring to the time you put in. Intensity matters.

Questions for reflection & action:

1.    What are you giving your attention to in work and life?

1.    What are you intensely focused on in your work and life?
2.    What distracts you?
3.    What important goals or tasks deserve more of your deep undivided attention?
4.    How can you structure your day to create opportunities for devoting time & undivided attention to what matters most?

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