“Single Minded Focus”

A couple of weeks ago I watched “Free Solo” on National Geographic.  Free Solo is a documentary about rock climber Alex Honnold’s preparation to achieve his lifelong dream – scaling the 3,200-foot (900 meter) El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without a rope.  Throughout the film I was captivated by Alex’s single-minded focus in his training and his constant drive to set the ultimate standard – perfection or death.  His perseverance was amazing and the reality of his single-mindedness was unfathomable to me. 

Webster defines single-minded focus as a focus on one thing at the expense of anything else!

After watching the film, it was obvious to me that in order to be successful as a free solo climber, it is paramount that Alex Honnold has single-minded focus.  This got me to wonder – do I apply single-minded focus to my golf game?

ZERO IN

Even though Alex had a camera crew all around him, it was very clear that he has the ability to just “zero in” on what he is doing.  When playing a round of golf, I tend to zero in on my game and put the worries of the world to the back of my mind while focusing solely on enjoying the game and simply relax.  I attempt to consider every hole as the only hole and forget about the bad holes the moment I am done with them.  (Of course that is much easier said than done!)

DISTRACTIONS

Alex’s life appeared to be full of distractions, yet those distractions never appeared to hinder his focus.  Golf courses are full of distractions – birds chirping, other players talking and golf carts driving past – as well as the fact that the very design of any course is set up to create distractions.  Single-minded focus during my round helps me to ignore all the distractions and get a clear perspective of what I need to achieve.  All my energy is focused on finding the best way to get the outcome I am shooting for – an enjoyable round with a low score.  I think of nothing but the ball and how I am going to hit it. 

MAKES EVERYTHING SIMPLE

            Much of what was shown of Alex’s life during the documentary indicated his single-minded focus made most things real simple as he worked toward his goal.  I know my single-minded focus during the round makes everything simple.  I focus only on what matters the most, and nothing much else.  This way I get a clear sight of what I need to deal with for a particular shot and what are the options I have.  Do I play to the left of the bunker?  Do I shoot for an easy lay up or do I grip it and rip it?

There is no denying the fact that single-minded focus is one of the things that separates successful people from the rest of the crowd.  

But is single-minded focus a good thing?  

I suppose it can be a good thing in a way – especially as you are focusing on achieving a goal.  It is good that nothing else gets in your way.

DISADVANTAGES

However, I feel having single-minded focus may have some disadvantages.  I have no way of knowing what those disadvantages are for a professional rock climber like Alex Honnold.  But for me – while playing golf I believe there are some disadvantages to single-minded focus.  

Many times I miss the great views that surround me because I am absorbed playing a particular hole.  And I have missed getting to know my playing partners better because I was too concerned about my performance.  Sometimes I am so focused during my round that I miss the experience of the special nuances of the golf course architecture.  

SINGLE-MINDED FOCUS OFF THE COURSE

What about my single-minded focus off the course?  If throughout my life I applied single-minded focus strictly on golf, I would have missed many opportunities and adventures.  Even so – I realize I apply much of the method and process of single-minded focus to just about everything I do.

Being focused with intense clarity and purpose has opened many doors for me.  My style of focus has provided the opportunity for me to ride my bicycle from Prague, Czech Republic to Vienna, Austria along the Danube River.  My style of concentration pushed me to climb Gran Paradiso (the highest peak in Italy) and Mount Blanc (the highest peak in Europe).  My style of focus led me on a scuba diving adventure in Bali with friends, and provided me a chance to run the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromso, Norway.  Action of my deep focus created the opening for me to ride the Alps in Garmisch, Germany with my husband on his Yamaha V-Star, which ultimately led me to purchasing my own Yamaha V-Star.  Focus and enthusiasm sent me skiing in the Alpine region of Switzerland, and in the French Alps in Courchevel, France.  The drive of my style of single-minded focus allowed me to fulfill my dream of participating in the obstacle races – Tough Mudder and Spartan Race.   

WHAT MATTERS MOST

My style of single-minded focus may prevent me from ever becoming the greatest female golfer of all time….BUT….in order to truly have a life focused on what matters most to me, I need to apply my style of single-minded focus to one thing at a time.  Giving it my full attention, and my full appreciation, in order to find gratitude, wonder and love in everything I do. 

My Read from the Reds…..My own style of Single-Minded Focus has filled my life with mindfulness, gratitude, and happiness.  

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting. Written by Kathy Festa