Focus Is A Superpower 

One of the teachings that was a huge hit on The Optimal Performance Podcast is the use of focus as a superpower.

Psst! Haven’t gotten a chance to listen yet? Tune in here. 

When mastering the art of focus, you develop the most fundamental skill to supercharge your performance. 

Let me explain…

Staying Present - The Foundation of Focus

Let's start with the foundational aspect of focus: staying present. While it may sound basic, staying present is a skill that most people struggle to master consistently. In my case, I've honed this skill through over 35 years of martial arts training. The reason martial arts is such an effective tool for developing focus is that it demands absolute attention to technique, situation, and environment. Losing focus in martial arts can lead to more than just missed opportunities; it can lead to physical harm. Whether you're sparring or training on a heavy bag, losing focus even for a split second can result in injuries or setbacks.

I remember a moment when I was tired and distracted while training with a heavy bag. My mind was on work-related issues rather than my training. The consequence? I injured my wrist and spent six months in rehabilitation. It was a harsh reminder of how vital focus is. So, before every training session, I make it a practice to center myself, ensuring that I'm entirely focused on the task at hand. This not only enhances my performance but also serves as a mental health recovery moment, providing a refreshing escape from daily stress and worries.

This concept extends beyond the martial arts world. I've shared this skill with professional tennis players, and it's had a transformative impact on their performance. Staying focused on the present moment is a potent tool for competitive athletes. When athletes fail to stay present, their performance suffers significantly. For example, I once worked with a tennis player at Wimbledon who lost a winnable match due to a lack of focus. His mind shifted to the past, dwelling on the previous game, and it continued to affect his performance. I explained the importance of maintaining focus and coached him on this skill, leading to a remarkable improvement in his rankings.

The Power of Now - The Only Reality

Why have Zen masters emphasized the value of staying present for centuries? It's because the present is the only moment that truly exists. The past is gone, and no amount of dwelling on it will change it. The future is merely one of many potential outcomes. Worrying about future events that may never happen drains your energy and offers no real value. As Mark Twain wisely said, "I've had many problems in my life, and some were even real." While it's essential to learn from the past and prepare for potential challenges in the future, you can only apply those lessons in the present.

A practical technique I learned from reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" is to ask yourself, "What problem do I have right now?" Most of our worries involve potential future events that may never come to pass. By focusing on the present moment, you'll save yourself countless hours of unnecessary worry and preserve your energy for more productive pursuits.

The Myth of Multitasking

Multitasking is a popular myth. In reality, you can't truly do two things at the exact same time. Attempting to multitask disperses your energy and focus across multiple tasks, which leads to a loss of performance due to the dissipation of energy. In addition to this, there's a cognitive cost associated with switching your focus between tasks, especially for complex or demanding activities. This cost can be substantial and hampers productivity.

Consider your workplace; constant task-switching and interruptions negatively impact productivity. Focusing on a single task for a set period (e.g., 20 to 40 minutes) can significantly boost performance.

Decisions and Priorities - The Key to Exceptional Performance

World-class performers excel by focusing their decisions and actions on a specific set of priorities. They make sacrifices and forgo short-term pleasures to pursue their ambitious goals. This requires delayed gratification but contributes to achieving remarkable success.

For example, Rafa Nadal chose training and competition over leisure activities when he was a teenager. This uncompromising focus on priorities led him to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Top performers decide in advance and follow through, eliminating the need to expend willpower on daily decisions.

Finally, when great performers have off days, they focus on a particular aspect of their performance to regain their flow. By concentrating on their process cues and mastering one thing at a time, they rebuild their momentum.

Focus is the hidden driver of world-class performance. It's a skill that can be developed like a muscle, but it requires consistent effort. By mastering the art of staying present, avoiding multitasking, and focusing on decisions and priorities, you can harness the power of focus to reach new heights in your life and work. Challenge yourself to work on your focus daily and witness the transformation it brings to your performance.

– Adolfo Gómez Sánchez

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