I was watching a basketball game. The score was tied with just seconds left. One player was fouled and went to the free throw line. The crowd was screaming. The fans behind the basket were waving distracting devices designed to throw off the player’s aim. The player bounced the ball a couple times. While he gazed at the basket and took a deep breath I could see him focus on the critical task at hand. I saw him remove the noise, the pressure, and the crowd out of his consciousness and then he arched the ball towards the basket. The first shot went in – swish! The second shot followed – swish!

How do they do that with all the pressure there in the spotlight all alone with a stadium filled with waving, screaming fans, knowing that many thousands of other fans are watching on television at a critical moment in a tight game? The answer is focus. The ball player was able to somehow focus on just the ball, the basket, and the kinetic motions that will propel the ball with just the right speed in just the right trajectory to unerringly make the points. To the player, all distractions are gone – no noise, no pressure, no movement behind the basket… just the ball and the basket.

Imagine how much we can accomplish if we were able to bring that same focus to our business and personal lives. Yes, we live in a multi-tasking world with many responsibilities, distractions and diversions all competing for our time and attention and yet, when our level of performance is critical, if we were able to mentally turn off the “screaming fans” and focus on the job at hand we could win more games and still have the ability to multi-task when appropriate.

Focus under pressure is not a super power; it can be learned and practiced. When the pressure is on, focus for a moment. Eliminate distractions just as the ball player took a few moments of focus time before shooting the ball. You will be amazed at the difference a little focus makes and I’ll bet your “free-throw percentage” goes up!

Larry Galler advises executives, professionals, and businesses to extraordinary achievement. Email Larry on larry@larrygaller.com More information available at www.larrygaller.com