Read a great article today on learning to develop laser-like FOCUS and wanted to pass along some of the better parts…
One of the common elements you see in almost all successful people is focus. They saw what they wanted to achieve, and they focused in on it like a laser. Then, when they become famous, and we, the common folk, know their name, we are amazed at the focus they have.
Focus will set two people apart who have equal skills.
What I am about to say may appear to be blasphemous to some: Tiger Woods is not that much more highly skilled than the other top PGA players! No, I haven’t lost my marbles. Take any of the big names, stick them on any course and on any given day, and they can shoot a 65 for 18 holes. You see, it isn’t whether they can — they all can — it is whether or not they do. And that is determined mostly by F-O-C-U-S.
It's no secret that one of Tiger's strengths is his ability to maintain his focus in pressure-filled situations.
I want to show you how to stay away from a common mistake and turn toward a discipline of focus that will be the first step in greatly enhancing your ability to focus. I will show you a practice technique that will greatly enhance your focus and your performance.
The myth is that, to focus, we must push other things out of our mind.
For example, people will say to an athlete, “Don’t listen to the fans.” Or someone will say to another, “Don’t think about…” This doesn’t work! For example, right now, do not picture your car. You thought it, right? Exactly. This myth actually gets you to focus on exactly what you don’t want to focus on!
Instead, the secret to intense focus is to set your mind intently on what it is you want to focus in on. For example, let’s say you are standing over a 10-foot putt. (although we probably have few golfers here — and if not, then imagine free throws or a jump shot, but you should get the point.)
What do you want to focus on? Making that putt! So what are the elements you should be aware of? Focus on them. But go beyond mere observation. Most people just look at the line of the putt, take a guess on how hard to hit and then fire away.
Here are some other things to do: (Remember the process here is to get you highly aware of your surroundings and to focus with intensity.)
Look at the hole. Is the plastic cup even with the top of the grass or is it sunken in? How much? Bet you never noticed that before. Does the grass tip in at the edge or is it even? How long is the grass between you and the hole? Does it waver in length from foot to foot?
Is there sand along the way in your path? How much? What color? What size? Is it even or just for a section?
Are there any bugs sitting on the ground between you and the hole? Does the hill go up or down at all? Not significantly — you would have already noticed that — but even slightly?
Is there a slight wind? Can you feel it blowing on your face?
Lastly, imagine that ball rolling along that path, curving slightly if it has to, and falling in the hole. I mean, really create that movie in your head and watch it!
You may ask, “is this the secret to making putts?” No, but it’s an example of how to focus. Be observant. Notice. Focus. Lock into your focal point(s).
The myth of most focus advice is to try to not focus on bad things.
The secret to intense focus is to focus to a higher degree than you normally do on the “good things” — the things you are trying to accomplish!
Focus intensely on what you want to accomplish. Bring yourself to a much higher degree of awareness of the surroundings, etc., and see for yourself the power behind this methodology!
Then, when you have taught yourself to do this for practice, it will become a part of you and you will start to do it naturally!
(thanks Chris Widener & Bob Starkey)
