We’re all looking to achieve more in life and typically have goals we want to reach and know we need to improve focus on them. I came across a really simple, yet powerful principle developed by Bob Bright, the visionary who transformed the Chicago Marathon from a regional, second tier event, into a world-class event and the scene of many world records.
Bob’s principle was born in the challenging environment of the Vietnam war, where Bright served for eight years, leading ‘bait’ missions directly into enemy camps. Facing high-stakes missions with his troops often outnumbered, he developed a crucial strategy: “Never put your rifle on automatic.” Instead of spraying bullets randomly, each soldier was assigned a specific area and instructed to take one careful shot at a time.
Bringing focused success to everyday life
The first time I heard this idea, it just struck a chord with me. The principle that saved lives in combat can be equally powerful in the business world and for people individually too. Bright discovered that success in any field comes from maintaining unwavering focus on one priority at a time, rather than dividing attention across multiple targets and trying to do too much.
Why most people struggle to improve focus
Think about your own goals. Are you trying to juggle multiple priorities, hoping something will stick? This scattered approach often leads to burnout and disappointing results. Instead, imagine directing all your energy toward one clear target, like a laser beam cutting through steel.
Three steps to improve focus daily
- Select your focal point: Identify your most important goal right now. Whether it’s building a business or improving your fitness, make it specific and clear.
- Create focus zones: Break down your main goal into smaller, manageable areas that you can tackle one thing at a time and track your progress against that.
- Maintain steady focus: When progress seems slow, don’t fall into the trap of adding more tasks or changing course. Trust your process and maintain steady progress. Remember: consistency, consistency, consistency.
Putting improved focus into practice
Consider a runner following a training plan. When results don’t come quickly enough, the temptation is to add in extra sessions or increase the intensity. But this approach can often leads to injury and setbacks. Instead, trust the plan and execute one focused training session at a time.
The same applies to any goal. Whether you’re learning a new skill, growing a business, or improving relationships, remember: success comes from sustained, focused effort in one direction.
Your path to improved focus
Take some time today to ensure you are really, really clear on your most important goal. Do you know what your priority really is? Try and keep that list short – no more than three (having a list longer than this really is admission that you don’t actually have priorities).
Now you have that clear list, commit to giving it your complete, undivided attention until completion. Remember, you’re not on automatic fire – you’re a precision instrument, taking one perfectly aimed shot at a time.
Success isn’t about doing more things; it’s about doing the right thing with complete focus. What will you focus on today?