Focus is a Choice - One Thought at a Time

The skill of focus is a cornerstone in building your mental strength—unlocking your skills even in high-pressure moments. To understand how to strengthen this skill, let’s start with a few key truths about the brain:

1. Focus is a choice. You can choose the words and the thoughts that you place in your mind. Identifying cues and phrases helps us control those thoughts.

2. The brain handles one thought at a time. While it can handle multiple thoughts in rapid succession and we can shift between thoughts quickly, our job is to hold onto the one thought.

3. The brain is objective. It processes the object or action in a thought but doesn’t fully comprehend “don’ts."

To demonstrate this, close your eyes and picture a shiny red apple. Now, try not to think about an orange. Did an orange pop into your mind anyway? This illustrates how the brain works during competition. When you think, “Don’t miss” or “Don’t mess up,” you inadvertently prime yourself to focus on the very mistake you want to avoid.

Instead, choose action-based, task-oriented thoughts. Replace “Don’t miss this shot” with “Focus on the hoop and follow through.” Choosing proactive, actionable thoughts helps you stay locked in, even under immense pressure. Michael Jordan’s legendary "Flu Game" in the 1997 NBA Finals provides a masterclass in this principle.

Michael Jordan’s Flu Game: Mastering Mental Focus

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan battled severe flu-like symptoms. Visibly weak and dehydrated, he could have let physical discomfort or the high stakes of the game derail him. Instead, he relied on mental discipline. Jordan didn’t focus on his illness or the enormity of the moment. He locked in on the immediate task: competing, one play at a time.

Reflecting on his performance, Jordan said:"I almost played myself into passing out just to win a basketball game."

This quote captures the essence of his focus—choosing thoughts that directed his energy and attention toward execution, even in the face of overwhelming interference. Jordan’s mental strength was built on years of deliberate practice and unshakable focus, culminating in 38 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists to secure a crucial victory for the Bulls.

Practical Applications: Building Your Mental Strength

For High School Athletes:

• What to Do: Focus on actionable, proactive thoughts like “Stay on my assignment” or “Execute the next play.”

• What to Avoid: Don’t let fear fill the thought “I don't miss that shot.” Choose the thought to place in your mind.

For Parents:

• What to Do: Reinforce action-oriented thinking. Say, “What’s your next move?” or “Focus on the task.”

• What to Avoid: Avoid phrases like “Don’t mess up” or “Don’t think about the mistake.” These amplify distractions.

For Coaches:

• What to Do: Teach players to reframe their focus. Use prompts like “Focus on your tasks and skills.” Even better give them the exact thought you want them to think.

• What to Avoid: Don’t use phrases that focus on what not to do or what is not working, such as “Don't turnover the ball.” Instead, redirect to solutions like, "control the ball."

By training your mental strength, you are building thinking pattern and habits that become automatics systems that will unlock your full potential in critical moments. Focus is always a choice—one thought at a time. As Michael Jordan demonstrated, making the right choice in your thoughts can define greatness.