Focus

For more then two decades, the psychologist and journalist Daniel Goleman has been scouting the leading edge of the human sciences for what´s new, surprising, and important. In ´Focus´, he delves into the science of attention in all its varieties, presenting a long-overdue discussion of this little-noticed and underrated mental asset that matters enormously for how we navigate life. Attention works much like a muscle - use it poorly and it can wither; work it well an it grows. In an era of unstoppable distractions, Goleman persuasively argues that now more than ever we must learn to sharpen our focus if we are to contend with, let alone thrive, in a complex world. Goleman boils down attention research into a threesome - inner, other, and outer focus. A well-lived life demands we be nimble at each. Goleman shows why high achievers need all three kinds of focus, as demonstrated by rich case studies from fields as diverse as competitive sports, education, the arts, and business. Those who excel rely on what he calls Smart Practices such as mindfullness meditation; focused preparation and recovery; positive emotions and sustain excellence. Combining cutting-edge research with practical findings, ´Focus´ reveals what distinguishes experts from amateurs and stars from average performers. Ultimately, ´Focus´ calls upon readers not only to pay attention to what matters most to them personally, but also to turn their attention to the pressing problems of the wider world, to the powerless and the poor, and to the future, not just to the seductively simple demands of here and now.