Focus

For more than two decades, 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 under-rated mental asset that matters enormously for how we navigate life.

Goleman boils down attention research into three parts: inner, other, and outer focus. He shows why high-achievers need all three kinds of focus, with case studies from fields such as sports, education, arts, and business. Those who excel rely on practices like mindfulness meditation, focused preparation and recovery, positive emotions, connections, and mental tools that help improve habits, develop skills, and sustain excellence. Combining research with practical insights, Focus reveals what sets experts apart from amateurs and stars from average performers.