Focus by Daniel Goleman

The Hidden Driver of Excellence

Best known for his popular book "Emotional Intelligence", here Daniel Goleman considers the power of attention and its importance for success and high performance. Attention works rather like a muscle - use it regularly and it will become stronger; neglect it and it will wither.

In an era of unstoppable and unavoidable distractions, Goleman persuasively argues that now more than ever we must learn to sharpen our focus if we are to manage, let alone thrive in, an increasingly complex world.

3 types of attention - 'triple focus'

High achievers, Goleman claims, master three distinct types of focus:

1. Inner focus - self awareness
2. Other focus - empathy for others
3. Outer focus - awareness of the environment

Those who excel rely on what Goleman calls 'smart practice' - such as mindfulnesss meditation, focused preparation and recovery from setbacks, continued attention to the learning curve, and positive emotions and connections. These help them to improve habits, add new skills and sustain personal excellence.

Global focus

However, ultimately Goleman calls on us to move our attention beyond our own gain and reward, and to focus on objectives that are in service of a bigger end. The largest lens for our focus encompasses global systems and takes account of the longer future than our usual short-term attention allows.

"Is it just for me, or for others?
For the benefit of the few, or the many?
For now or for the future?"