Picture this: the final seconds of the game, the crowd roaring, all eyes on you. In that moment, everything fades away except the basket. It’s like you’ve toggled on the “Studio Light” mode on your phone’s camera. Accidental? Likely. Effective? Absolutely. That's the power of focus. But it's not just a skill for athletes; it's a superpower for anyone striving for peak performance.
Our brains are wired to be easily distracted. We're constantly bombarded with information, and our attention is pulled in a million directions. Neurologically, sensory and information overload have become commonplace and impacts millions of people daily. However, if you’re able to find a way to silence the noise, you gain an edge. Sustained focus is crucial for deep work, creative problem-solving, and effective leadership.
Cal Newport calls this 'deep work' - the ability to perform cognitively demanding tasks without distraction. It's a rare and valuable skill in today's world, and it's something both elite athletes and top professionals cultivate. In this week’s entry, we'll explore the art of focus, drawing parallels between the techniques used by athletes to tune out the noise and the strategies you can use to sharpen your focus in your own life.
The Focus Formula (This Week’s ‘Key 3’)
Key 1: Activation
Activation is about priming your mind and body for focused attention. Think of it like an athlete's pre-game routine. Before stepping onto the court, I always had a specific set of rituals. I had to shower before the game, get my left ankle taped before my right, and make 5 straight free throws in warmups. These weren't just superstitions; they were a way to quiet the external noise and center my attention.
In the workplace, we need similar activation strategies. This could involve methods we touched on last week such as reviewing notes, tailoring the messaging to your audience, and taking a deep breath. The key is to develop a consistent routine that signals to your brain that it's time to shift into a focused state.
To implement this, start by identifying your key performance moments throughout the day. What are the meetings, presentations, or creative work sessions that demand your utmost focus? Is your day optimized for success? What time of day is the best for your creativity vs analytical brain? Once you’ve designed your checklist and ticked each box, it’s showtime.
Key 2 : Sustenance
Activation gets you started, but sustenance is about maintaining that focus over extended periods. Athletes train for endurance, not just short bursts of speed. Similarly, professionals need to cultivate the ability to sustain their attention for deep work. In sports, you can't afford to lose focus for even a second, because it can be costly. It's about staying present and engaged for the entire duration.
In the workplace, this translates to minimizing distractions and maximizing uninterrupted work time. For me, this often involves making a “To Do” list on a large whiteboard in my office each day. Each thing on the list is accompanied by a reasonable amount of time (time blocking) for the given task. I will do “x” for “y” amount of time and then stop, no matter what. This sets up an optimal environment for you to not waste time scrolling or being distracted by other stimuli. If you don’t get the job done in the allotted time, there was likely a lapse in your execution.
The actionable steps here are to prioritize your tasks and choose the most important ones. As I mentioned above, understand your brain and how you work best. Maybe the AM hours are for your creativity and afternoons are for analytics. Then, eliminate distractions by putting your phone in another room and closing unnecessary tabs on your computer. These are proven ways to establish focus and sustain it for however long your ‘deep work’ blocks may be.
Key 3 : Filtration
And not your water system! Although, hydration is important and should be a part of your daily routine. Filtration, in this case, is the ability to block out external distractions. Athletes face a barrage of distractions: crowd noise, opposing players, and even cheerleaders. Learning to filter out this 'noise' is crucial for maintaining focus.
In the workplace, distractions can be equally pervasive: pointless emails that could’ve been meetings, actual meetings, interruptions at your desk, and the ever-present allure of social media. Creating an 'external filter' is essential for protecting your focus.
To implement this, start by identifying your biggest workplace distractions. Is it email notifications, impromptu meetings, or the general office chatter? Then, implement strategies to minimize them. This could involve using noise-canceling headphones, scheduling dedicated focus time on your calendar, setting clear communication boundaries with colleagues, or utilizing tools to manage your inbox. Finally, communicate your focus needs to your colleagues. Let them know when you need uninterrupted time and how best to reach you if it's truly urgent.
Remember that clutch clarity? It's achievable daily through Activation, Sustenance, and Filtration, building the focus needed for your peak moments. Mastering focus is mastering potential. If you believe these techniques can empower others like they can empower you, please share this article with colleagues, friends, or on your social channels. Let's spread the tools that help us all perform under pressure and achieve our goals.