“Having tunnel vision can be a good thing when it keeps you focused on the goal.”—Dan Gable
Focus. Distractions displace our priorities. Dan Gable epitomizes focus. Anyone who has followed his wrestling career knows he has a phenomenal work ethic and tunnel vision when it comes to training. Gable writes that his only college loss (to Larry Owings) came when he lost that tunnel vision. Likewise, we, too, fall short of our goals when we lose focus.
Focus doesn’t always require tunnel vision. It does for our highest priority goals, but, in general, we prioritize (“opportunity costs”) our most significant desires. Herein is where a mission statement and clearly stated values come in. We focus on these. All else are unnecessary distractions.
The concept of “well-centered fitness”—the balance of the Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social dimensions—requires focus. These are the focal point of efforts—moving ever-closer to true center.
I don’t believe one should mistake Dan Gable’s “tunnel vision” for single-mindedness. It is true that when he was focused on wrestling that his intentions were centered on winning, but read into his life and it will be clear that he was balanced—academics, family, friends, relationships, faith, and the like also had priority in his life. Our lives have multiple dimensions. A key to success is in knowing which are important.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”—Alexander Graham Bell