Mastering Focus to Match the Moment

A few years ago, I got into trading stock options. I was drawn in by the math, the patterns, the challenge—it was like turning curiosity into strategy.

At first, I obsessed over every detail. I studied stock charts like they were game tape. I mapped out entry points using support and resistance lines. I dove deep into the Greeks.

Early on, I only executed when the setup felt just right. And I got out to a pretty good start—winning more trades than I lost (just barely).

All Trades Aren’t Created Equal.

Confidence is a funny thing. As I started winning more trades, I slowly began trusting my instincts over my process. I started “eyeballing” trades, letting the prep slide. Bigger trades. Longer time horizons. Riskier positions.

Over six months, I gave all my gains back to the market. The market was shifting—but my process stayed the same.

That season stuck with me—not just because of the money lost, but because of what it taught me about focus, mastery, and discipline. Those qualities are required to win in any environment—but how they show up can be very different.

Focus Is More Than Concentration

In the book Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, Daniel Goleman introduces two essential modes of attention: top-down and bottom-up.

• Top-down is intentional. It’s when you’re in control of your attention—thinking, planning, reflecting.

• Bottom-up is reactive. It’s triggered by your environment—instincts, emotions, gut reactions.

We often think success is about being in “laser mode” all the time. But the real skill? Knowing when to tap into each mode—and why.

Just like in trading, not every challenge in life or business requires the same type of focus. Some moments demand sniper-like precision. Others call for strategic patience—giving yourself enough time and space to be right, even if the answer isn’t immediate.

The Two Types of Trades

Let’s go back to trading for a second.

There’s a key difference between day trading and swing trading:

• Day trading requires perfect timing. You have to be a sniper—identify the setup, commit to the move, and exit with precision. One wrong move—too early, too late—and you’re out. Quick profits, but even quicker losses if you’re not dialed in.

• Swing trading is different. It gives you breathing room. You still need to be right about the direction, but the pressure on timing is lower. You buy yourself time for your strategy to work, even if the immediate results don’t confirm it yet.

Now, think about your career, business, or personal goals.

Some moments in life demand precision—you’ve got one shot, and everything needs to align. These are the keynote presentations, high-stakes pitches, major transitions where timing is everything. The preparation you put in before the moment determines your ability to execute in the moment.

Other times, you’re in a season where the win comes from strategic patience. You’re building something that’s not fully ready yet. The signals may be cloudy. But you’ve done the work, and now you’re giving yourself space to let it develop. That space becomes your competitive edge.

Whether it’s launching a business, shifting careers, or making a major life decision—ask yourself:

The first step to clearly defining a win is understanding the setup: Is this a day trade or a swing trade?

Because the mistake most people make is using a day-trading mindset for a swing-trading moment.

They rush clarity. They force timing. They abandon good strategies because the payoff isn’t instant.

But the win might not come from doing more—it might come from giving your current plan enough runway to be right.

The mastery is knowing which moment you’re in—and aligning your focus, expectations, and actions accordingly.

Mastery is Nuance

Malcolm Gladwell popularized the 10,000-hour rule—the idea that with enough time and repetition, anyone can achieve mastery in a given field.

But in Focus, Daniel Goleman flips that narrative. He argues it’s not just about the time you spend—it’s about the quality of attention you bring to it.

True mastery isn’t blind repetition. It’s the ability to toggle between doing and reflecting. Between top-down intention and bottom-up awareness.

You have to be willing to interrupt your autopilot, zoom out, and ask: 

Is what I’m doing still the right thing for where I’m going?

Sharpening Focus Requires Self-Awareness

One of the biggest hidden skills behind every pivot I’ve made—from NFL player to entrepreneur to executive coach—is the ability to manage focus.

It’s what allows you to:

• Know when to go heads-down and execute;

• Know when to step back and reevaluate.

• Know when to push forward—and when to give yourself grace.

This isn’t about being more disciplined—it’s about being more self-aware. Focus isn’t just about blocking out distractions. It’s about choosing the right kind of focus for the season you’re in.

Closing Thought

If I’ve learned anything from my athletic career, coaching business leaders, and helping founders build businesses—it’s that building mastery is more than what you do. It’s just as much about how you see what you do.

Learning to Create Separation is more than how hard you work—it’s a function of how clearly you see the game you’re playing.

When you train your mind to shift between high-precision focus and open, reflective attention, you:

• Stop reacting and start responding.

• Stop chasing every opportunity and start executing on the right ones.

And that’s when you develop the discipline to prepare with intention—and the confidence to give yourself room to grow.

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