Why 'The Red Car Rule' Could Be Your Key to Success.

As 2024 comes to a close, the end of the year feels like a mirror. Some proudly celebrate their achievements, while others mourn the time that slipped away. Surrounded by the noise of celebration and reflection, one truth remains: we all have the power to choose where to place our focus for the year ahead!

Have you ever noticed how, when you decide to buy a red car, suddenly you see red cars everywhere? It’s not magic—it’s FOCUS. Life works the same way.

The Red Car Theory is a concept that explains how people become more aware of things after they've been brought to their attention. It's often used to illustrate how people start to notice things more frequently after they've become aware of them. The theory is based on the idea that people's brains filter out most of the information they receive, and that people only see what they choose to pay attention to.

What we attract into our lives mirrors what we choose to notice. But without direction, everything around us blurs into background noise.

This year, I’ve learned how focus shapes not just our days but our destiny. I used to chase every shiny idea, believing it had potential. Sometimes it did, but other times, it was just an empty glimmer—like a reflection of light on a mirror, leading nowhere.

The truth is, the real light is within us. Only we can uncover our purpose and decide the path worth walking.

There’s a game on the New York Times app called Strands. The goal is to find hidden words and uncover the day’s theme. Whenever I play it with Bela, if we already have an idea of the theme, we finish in two minutes. But when we don’t know what to look for, it can take 30 minutes or more.

Life is no different. When we know where to place our attention, we notice opportunities that were always around us. If we want to change our results, we must shift our focus.

A Simple Exercise to Reflect and Plan

Today, I did an exercise that I encourage you to try—whether alone or with a partner:

1. Write down the 5 biggest achievements of 2024 (personal, professional, family, health, etc.).
2. Set 4 major goals for 2025. What do you want to accomplish?
3. Imagine your life in 5 years. Write a single paragraph describing what it looks like. What steps will you take to make it happen?

Once you’ve written these down, start visualizing them and breaking them into actionable steps.

Focus your energy and attention on what truly matters.

On the journey, you may discover that some goals lose their meaning, and that’s okay. Adjust your path, but always remain authentic and committed to yourself. And never, ever give up!

Final Reflections

You have immense potential within you, enough to transform your world if you prepare well and believe in yourself.

We’re here not just to live but to leave an impact—a legacy. Focus, resilience, and the courage to start over will guide you to the life you’re meant to lead.

Nothing is impossible. Where you focus your attention, your reality begins to shift.