Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Focus summary
Daniel Goleman
The Hidden Driver of Excellence
26 mins
Brief summary
'Focus' by Daniel Goleman is a self-help book that explores the power of attention and the benefits of developing better focus. It provides practical tools and tips for improving concentration, mindfulness, and productivity, backed by scientific research.
Topics
Table of Contents
Focus
Summary of 12 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 12
What is in it for me? Focus, focus, focus.
Have you ever felt that being easily distracted is holding you back from improving your skills, doing better work and living a more fulfilling life?
Our lives are filled with potential distractions: your smartphone, email, even your thoughts about where you’ll take your next vacation. As you let your attention become increasingly scattered by such distractions, you impair your ability to do your work on time and to do it well.
Yet author Daniel Goleman goes beyond the narrow definition of “focus” to present a guidebook for living a focused life, according to which we can gain a richer, fuller existence by paying attention to ourselves, to others and to larger contexts, like our planet and the future.
Drawing from a well of countless real-life examples, Focus provides many ways for the reader to enhance their level of attention, including practicing mindfulness, positive thinking and engaging in focused preparation.
In these blinks you’ll learn why letting your mind wander can lead you to great insights but also hinder you in accomplishing your goals.
You’ll find out why the best quality for a leader is not the ability to keep their eyes on the prize, but actually self-awareness or empathy.
You’ll discover how to train your willpower like a muscle and how if you do something you love, seeing it through to completion requires much less effort.
Finally, you’ll learn why when you’re stressed and can’t think straight, having a positive attitude will make a massive difference.
Want to see all full key ideas from Focus?
Key ideas in Focus
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Focus about?
Focus (2013) is a guidebook for nurturing today’s scarcest resource: attention. Using cutting-edge research, the book reveals that sharpening our focus in a world of endless distractions is the key to professional success and personal fulfillment. What makes Goleman’s contribution special is that the book expands the definition of “focus” beyond mere concentration and calls for a mindful life in which attention is paid to the self, to others and to the planet.
Focus Review
Focus (2013) by Daniel Goleman explores the power of attention and its impact on our personal and professional lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides insightful perspectives and practical strategies to improve focus and enhance performance in an increasingly distracted world.
- By combining scientific research, case studies, and personal experiences, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of the importance of concentration.
- Goleman's accessible writing style makes complex concepts easy to grasp, ensuring that the exploration of attention is anything but boring.
Who should read Focus?
- Workers and students who wish to improve their focus and productivity
- Anyone who wants to learn the secret of living a focused, mindful life
- Leaders who want to channel their vision effectively and improve their relationships with employees
Categories with Focus
Book summaries like Focus
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
31 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Focus FAQs
What is the main message of Focus?
The main message of Focus is that cultivating focus can lead to greater success and fulfillment in life.
How long does it take to read Focus?
Reading Focus can take a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Focus a good book? Is it worth reading?
Focus is a valuable read for anyone wanting to improve their focus and concentration. It offers practical strategies and insights for achieving greater productivity and well-being.
Who is the author of Focus?
The author of Focus is Daniel Goleman.
What to read after Focus?
If you're wondering what to read next after Focus, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management by Kevin Kruse
- 18 Minutes by Peter Bregman
- The Power of Unwavering Focus by Dandapani
- Get Smart! by Brian Tracy
- Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
- Peak Mind by Amishi Jha
- Successful Time Management by Patrick Forsyth
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Picture Your Prosperity by Ellen Rogin and Lisa Kueng
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma