Futility Of Saying “Focus More”

In my interactions with teammates, I often hear complaints about progress against objectives. When results don’t show, the first reaction is to think they’re slacking or not focused enough. But more often than not, the real issue isn’t effort—it’s understanding.

Everyone knows focus matters, but most people don’t know where to focus. Saying “focus more” is like telling someone to “just try harder.” It just sounds good but doesn’t help in any way.

Not all focus is the same. Some focus has a bigger impact than others. The key is knowing where to apply it.

So, how do you figure that out? By digging into the problem, understanding the details, trying different approaches, and learning from what works. Over time, you uncover where effort makes the biggest difference.

For example, a team member might spend hours perfecting a presentation’s design but miss the key data or insights the audience actually needs. A manager might focus on micromanaging tasks instead of removing roadblocks for the team. Or a salesperson might chase low-value leads instead of understanding where the highest-impact opportunities lie.

What appears like a lack of focus is often a lack of clarity on what to focus on. Real progress comes when you stop spreading effort thin and direct it where it truly matters.