Tell us a bit about yourself. Ronald E. McKnight.
I am an Author (3 books), Certified Business Transformation Coach, Speaker, Certified Trainer and Career Coach. I am also an award-winning Business Development & Executive Enhancement Professional. I have over 20 years of front line experience in a wide array of industries including; Entrepreneurship, Adult Learning, Financial Services and Electronic Security industries.
I have experience as a corporate and dynamic certified trainer in the areas of: Leadership, Financial literacy, Careers, Job Outplacement, Workforce Readiness, Entrepreneurship, Customer Relations, Networking, Negotiation Skills, Interpersonal skills, Sales, Diversity, Team building, Effective listening, Time management and Emotional Intelligence.
I managed training & development programs at Fortune 1000 companies. He has partnered with C-level management, HR & Training Directors, Senior VP's, VP's and Entrepreneurs to provide business development training programs. He has an extensive sales and management background.
My past client were some of Americas largest firms including; New York Stock Exchange, QVC, Toy R Us, Movado Group, Pfizer, General Re-insurance, Hamburg Sud, Santa Fe Tobacco, Pathmark, Maersk Lines, Bank Of Tokyo, Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Pharma, Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, Securities Industry Automation Corporation (SIAC), Ortho Biotech, TIAA-CREF, Maersk Transportation, Hunter Douglas, New York City School System, Mount Vernon Schools/YMCA, Yonkers YMCA, Westchester Community College, William Paterson University, Princeton University. and more.
Describe the purpose of your book, "Focus: Learn How To Concentrate for Maximum Results,” in a few sentences.
The purpose of "Focus: Learn How To Concentrate for Maximum Results,” is to help people gain or regain their concentrate to achieve their dreams in life. Our goal is to help as many people as possible to become very successful at their jobs, business, sports, relationships or other.
Who do you think would most appreciate this book?
Those who want to improve their present situation will benefit most by reading this book. People who get stuck on tasks or projects, lack discipline, procrastinate, work on a multitude of projects or don’t know how/where to begin or complete a project, will benefit the most. Also, those who want to improve their career, business, health or relationship will greatly benefit from reading and studying this book.
What inspired you to write a book on focus?
I decided to write this book after listening to many people their discuss lack of focus and concentration and how it was preventing them from succeeding in life. Today more than ever, we have a multitude of distractions and tasks to accomplish. How do you prepare for this? I had to conquer procrastination and it was not easy. I have had many successes in my life, and I want to help others manage and conquer the things that keep them from being successful.
One of the topics you cover is prescription drugs, medicine and supplements to help with focus. How effective are these in helping someone focus on a task?
Prescription drugs are very beneficial for those who need them. I discuss using prescription drugs when nothing else has worked and under a doctor’s care. That is why we discuss self-discipline, eating correctly and how to concentrate first.
Another aspect of your book is self-discipline. How important is self-discipline in building one’s ability to focus?
Self-discipline is crucial when it comes to being focused and succeeding. You have to be accountable, committed and free of distractions to be successful. You must have a vision, be goal oriented, have energy and be strategic to achieve self-discipline and success.
With social media, phone apps, 24/7 news, and just the busy modern world we live in, is it more difficult to focus than it was prior to all this technology?
Yes, it is much more challenging to concentrate today than ever. The goal is managing your activities by setting goals and having a vision of the things you want in life. A person has to eradicate the distractions in life while achieving their goals. I discuss strategies to accomplish goals, tasks and projects in the book. We discuss decision-making skills along with short- and long-term goals. Goal setting and strategies to achieve them will keep you focused on your projects.
What are some of the major mistakes people make when first trying to improve their focus?
The mistakes that some people make when trying to improve their focus is not setting a specific vision or goal to accomplish. Many times, the vision or goal is too general. Also, many people do not know the steps (strategies) to achieve a task or project. Next, how to manage distractions during the process. Lastly, did they plan everything out? These are some of the mistakes people make that will have you lose focus.
A lot of people try to multi-task, such as watching TV while doing homework. Is it possible to do this? Or does the average person not have enough focus to handle two tasks at once?
Some people can accomplish this, but our minds are setup to achieve one task at a time. Multi-tasking is a myth. You can not effectively 100% concentrate on multiple tasks or projects at once. You will not achieve your goals in a timely manner and effectively. You will find out that some projects will not be accomplish. They will not be finished.
What was the most interesting thing you uncovered while doing research for the book?
The most interesting thing I uncovered while researching the book is how not eating properly and a lack of rest can affect focus and concentration. Also, how some over the counter medicine can affect your concentration. It is important to eat healthy and get eight hours of sleep a night (depends on age) to be able to focus and concentrate well. Many youth and adults eat junk food. They have no idea how this affect their concentration. These same people only average a few hours of sleep per night. A lack of sleep robs you of your concentration. When we don’t get our proper rest, it affects our decision-making process. When we don’t make sound decisions, we will make terrible life mistakes. Lastly, over the counter medicine such as Tylenol PM may affect your concentration. Sometimes I take Tylenol PM. I had no idea this can cause a problem with my concentration.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing the book?
The most challenging aspect of writing the book was not to put too much information in it. I had to stay focus writing it. The subject could have taken me in many directions. I had to strategize and plan effectively.
What do you hope readers will gain from reading your book?
I want readers to understand that the benefits of focus and how they can make you very successful. I want them to understand the importance of a proper diet, rest, planning, distractions and how self-discipline can improve or decrease their focus.
How have readers responded to your book so far?
The feedback on my book has been great! It has been very positive. Many people have had a A-ha moment. They have learned how to manage their time better, how not to procrastinate, how to become more self-disciplined and set better goals. I tell people, What you do in the first 90 days will show up in the next 90 days. I want them to think and achieve in 90 days intervals.
Can you share how your interest in writing developed? Did you always know you wanted to write or was it something that evolved with time?
My interest in writing started late. I always knew I had a few books in me, but didn’t have the confidence to write them. I was affected in college when I took it personally when a professor told me I didn’t write well in my creative writing class. I should have tried to find ways to improve than take it personally. I wrote projects for companies that I worked for and many told me I wrote well. This is where I started to have confidence in my writing. I wrote my first book on networking. I met an author at a conference I was speaking/presenting at. After engaging him and reading his book, I told myself, “I can do this”. I returned home and wrote my first book, “Networking, Building Impactful Relationships”. It is on Amazon. Writing this book came easy for me because I have spent years teaching, training and presenting at conferences on the subject. I also created very successful monthly networking events.
How do you feel about the increasing popularity of ebooks?
I like ebooks. It’s another avenue to getting your projects read. EBooks can also keep you relevant between writing books. There is a market for ebooks and a market for paperback/hardcover books. I also love audio books. I am working on getting this book on audio.
What do you have in mind for your next writing project?
I don’t have anything in mind now. I am working on an audio book for “Focus” and a course to get my audience further engaged. When I do write, It will be a self-help book. Maybe on how to effectively sell yourself to anyone. I have a sales background and have had to do that to major corporations and others.
Is there anything else you'd like potential readers to know about your book?
I want potential readers to know that this is an interactive book. I will ask them to write down their goals and a life’s vision statement. Each chapter has a “Take Action” and “Set Action Goals” at the end. When they finish the book, they will have a clearer vision of their life and projects. I want them to know that focus is the key to success in their life and if they concentrate, they will have a high degree of success. I left my phone number and email address in my book so people can contact me.
Thank you very much for this interview!
More Information
Visit the author’s website.
Buy the paperbook edition here.
Buy the Kindle edition of the book here.
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