Tiger Woods, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, is known for his extraordinary ability to maintain focus, particularly in high-pressure situations such as sudden death play. It was during these moments that few bet against Tiger, as his mastery of keeping out distractions was as impressive as his execution of golf. His years of practice and honing his skills allowed him to focus solely on his game and to perform at his best when it mattered most. However, for those who are less practiced in this way, distractions are inevitable – whether it comes in the form of a better offer, a new approach, or a rival trying to take you out. So, how can we deal with distractions effectively? Here’s a suggestion: focus on fundamentals.
In my college bowling days, I had to learn how to compete without falling apart. The first thing I did was to focus on throwing my best shot. When I dwelled on the competition, I could not execute my best shot. Instead, I focused on my stance, hand position, and where I intended to release the ball, which increased my chances of achieving my goal. By focusing on the technical aspect of my game, I gave myself a fighting chance. Therefore, step one is to focus on technique.
The second step is to focus on the outcome you desire rather than the one you don’t. Some call this manifesting the future. Whatever you call it, make use of it. Olympic athletes, for instance, envision themselves on the podium receiving gold medals. Focusing on the positive outcome you desire helps amplify it, whereas ruminating on negative thoughts only attracts more negativity. If it works for top athletes, it can work for the rest of us. Visualize yourself on the podium and execute your shot with great technique and excellence.
Now that you can get back to your fundamentals and envision success, it’s time to stay present and grateful, the third step to dealing with distractions. Focusing too much on the future and worrying about what might happen only makes you less productive in the present. Being present allows you to focus on what you need to do. None of us are guaranteed a future, so try to stop worrying about what hasn’t happened. Take a moment to appreciate what serves as your coach, support system, team, venue, and the privilege of being there. This will help settle your mind and enable you to focus on the task at hand. Spending time thinking about your opponent’s success, for example, only takes away the time you need to prepare yourself for your shot. If you’re not thinking about winning and how it would feel, there’s less chance you’ll achieve it.
In conclusion, to deal with distractions, focus on fundamentals by concentrating on technique, visualizing positive outcomes, and staying present and grateful. This strategy will enable you to perform at your best, even when distractions arise.
Dr. Lisa
Our theme song is “Focus” by Ariana Grande.