The 4 Steps Guide To Achieving Your True Focus

Have you ever wondered how far you can focus before the pressure is too much to handle? Do you know the true limit to your focus?

The lost fight

The year was 2002. I got into a fight with a friend I least expected with. And to cut the story short, I said the wrong thing, and I got pushed. In between his fist connecting to my face, there’s 3 seconds for me to make up my mind on the next course of action, but the only thing that came out back then was, “what’s going to happen next?” It goes without saying that the fight didn’t end up pretty for me.

Thinking back, the scene would be different if I decided to hurt and overpower him right from the start. I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do, but clearly I wasn’t focused. I know the fist is coming and yet I hesitated. The thought on the consequences of my action if I were to hit him first has certainly got the best of me.

The guided steps

Sometimes, we all get thrust into a situation where we did not anticipate. And even if we did, there are those moments where the pressure is too high for us to focus. Think public speaking, 100m sprint competition and the likes.

In normal circumstances, focus can be achieved provided you get rid of distractions. However, the same cannot be said when you are thrown into an unfamiliar zone. In this situation, you need something different, and hopefully this step by step process below can help you with exactly that.

1. Calm yourself – Often than not, most of us are too focus on the consequences of our action, competence or lack thereof. The habit of making assumptions can sometimes give us unnecessary pressure and results in our inability to focus on the moment. You can clear your thoughts, pressure and emotional states by closing your eyes, deep breathing and try to listen to your own heartbeat.

2. Don’t play to win – Winning is not about being number one. Nor was it about being the best. That is the mentality needed when you are practicing for the competition. When you are at the moment of truth, what you really want is only to do your best and that is all. Anything more and you end up hindering your true potential to unleash.

3. Find your focus point – In order to reach maximum focus, you would want to fixate your eyes to the finishing line or goal, and pay no attention to your surroundings. This is to avoid any distractions that may find its way to your mind. At this point, the mind needs to be empty from any unnecessary thoughts and emotions.

4. Smile – Many didn’t seem to know the wonder of putting up a smile in the face of mounting pressure. Well for one, it works great as a confirmation from the body to the mind that you are in control and everything is going to be ok. People often forget that life is for the most part, just a game and how well you play it depends on how you approach it. And like any other things in life, this is just another game. But unlike before, you are now playing it like a champion. So be sure to put up a smile even at the face of your terror.

While focusing is easy most of the time, getting to the point of ignoring any pressure, distractions and unnecessary emotional state of mind can be a hard task.

Though with that said, it is certainly rewarding. Once you managed to master true focus, you can easily overcome any fear that you may not have been able to before, like walking up to a stranger and get to know the person, for example.