Winning with Focus: Practical Actions to Cut Through Distractions and Achieve More
Why This Matters
The best leaders and high performers cultivate the ability to direct their attention where it matters most.
In an age of constant notifications, endless meetings, and an ever-growing to-do list, finding focus isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a competitive advantage. When coaching leaders, to help them set priorities, I will often ask about a typical workday or week and how much time they spend in various activities and perhaps categorize them in the areas of people orientation, task orientation, and reflective orientation. As you can probably imagine, most activities are within the people and task orientation areas. Makes sense. Very little time is spent in focused reflection--meaningful blocks of time for deep work. Why? Because focus isn’t just about willpower; it’s about an actionable strategy that we often don't apply.
Recent insights from Shane Parrish at Farnam Street and Nir Eyal’s Finding Focus framework provide a playbook for strengthening our ability to focus and eliminating distractions. Below, I’ve summarized key takeaways from both sources and added specific actions you can take to make focus your superpower.
Why Focus is Your Best Competitive Edge
According to Farnam Street’s Focus to Win framework, the key to achieving great work isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things with undivided attention. The best decision-makers don’t multitask their way to success; they develop habits that preserve cognitive resources for what truly matters.
Similarly, Nir Eyal’s Finding Focus workbook underscores that distractions are often internal, not external. We are easily pulled away because we haven’t trained ourselves to manage discomfort or set up systems that make deep work possible.
Three Key Strategies to Strengthen Focus
Let’s turn these insights into actions that you can implement immediately.
1. Prime Your Brain for Deep Work
🔹 Insight: Neuroscience shows that mental focus follows visual attention. If you train your eyes to stay fixed on one point for just 60 seconds before starting a task, you can activate neural circuits that enhance concentration.
🔹 Action: Before diving into deep work, try this simple focus warm-up:
Find a fixed point on your desk or a blank wall.
Stare at it for 60 seconds, keeping your vision steady.
Use this moment to mentally commit to your next task.
Once done, start working without breaking your attention for the first 10-15 minutes.
This technique, inspired by Dr. Andrew Huberman, helps anchor your mind and transitions your brain into a state of focus.
2. Make Focus a System, Not a Choice
🔹 Insight: The most productive people don’t rely on discipline alone. They set up systemsto reduce distractions and make focused work inevitable.
🔹 Actions: To create a system for better focus:
Define your Deep Work hours: Block off specific times in your calendar where you won’t check emails or messages.
Eliminate friction: Use website blockers, turn off unnecessary notifications, and place your phone in another room.
Batch shallow work: Instead of constantly checking messages, designate 2-3 times a day to respond to emails and Slack.
When you build an environment that minimizes interruptions, you won’t have to fight so hard to stay focused.
3. Identify and Manage Internal Distractions
🔹 Insight: Often, distractions aren’t just external (like social media or emails)—they’re internal. We check our phones or jump between tasks because we feel restless, anxious, or bored.
🔹 Actions: Next time you feel tempted to switch tasks, pause and:
Name the discomfort. Ask yourself, What am I trying to avoid by seeking distraction?Awareness is the first step to overcoming impulsive task-switching.
Delay, don’t deny. If you feel the urge to check your phone, set a timer for 10 minutes and commit to staying on task until it goes off.
Redirect your energy. If you’re losing focus, take a quick movement break—stand up, stretch, or take a short walk before refocusing.
By managing these internal impulses, you can train yourself to remain engaged in deep work for longer periods.
Final Thoughts
Mastering focus isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. The best leaders and high performers cultivate the ability to direct their attention where it matters most. By using neuroscience-backed techniques, implementing focus systems, and managing internal distractions, you can regain control over your work and make a bigger impact.
Citations & References
Parrish, S. (2024). Focus to Win. Farnam Street. Read more here
Eyal, N. (2024). Finding Focus. ReMarkable. Workbook available here
Huberman, A. (2024). Neuroscience of Focus. Read more