Keep Your Eye on the Ball: What the College World Series Teaches Us About Focus
When the pressure is on and the crowd is roaring, the players who rise in the College World Series don’t just have talent—they have focus. It’s not just about athleticism or grit. It’s about the ability to tune out everything else and stay locked in on one thing: the ball.
The same is true for those of us building long-term wealth, operating businesses, or growing something that matters. Whether you're swinging a bat or making a capital call, the key is learning to stay focused—especially when distractions abound.
The Real Game Is Mental
Every coach from Little League to Omaha says the same thing: “Keep your eye on the ball.” That might sound obvious in baseball, but it's a life principle disguised as sports advice.
In investing and entrepreneurship, “the ball” is your long-term goal. It might be financial independence, a thriving business, or a legacy for your family. But in the noise of the daily grind, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny opportunities, social media comparison, or even just burnout.
That’s why focus isn’t just helpful—it’s a competitive advantage. Especially in a world full of short-term noise.
Winners Don’t Just Work Hard—They Work in Rhythm
College baseball players don’t just try harder. They develop repeatable rhythms: daily drills, team accountability, and a deep respect for fundamentals.
In business, the same principle applies. You don’t rise to the top by reacting to every curveball. You build processes that hold even when the pressure rises. You work a plan. You track your KPIs. You tune out hype and stay true to the strategy.
Whether you’re closing deals, managing a facility, or teaching your kids about money—it’s the systems and routines that keep your eyes where they belong.
You Can’t Win If You Keep Changing Your Goal
One of the most common ways we lose focus is by changing the game mid-season.
Maybe you started the year aiming to add one new property. Then someone on Instagram bought a Lambo, and suddenly you’re chasing crypto or Airbnb arbitrage. But switching lanes every month will kill your momentum—and confuse your team, your capital partners, and your own gut instincts.
Players at the College World Series didn’t get there by hopping teams. They stayed the course. They had a goal and trusted the process. You need to do the same.
Focus Is a Muscle—Not a Trait
Here’s the good news: focus isn’t something you’re born with or without. It’s a muscle—and you can train it.
Here are three ways to build it:
Start your day with silence. Before the meetings, texts, or noise—take 10 minutes to align with your goal.
Review your scoreboard weekly. Ask: What are the 2–3 metrics that actually tell me I’m on track? Review them every Friday.
Make the main thing the main thing. Every day, ask yourself: What is the most important task I can complete today that moves me closer to my long-term goal? Then do that first.
Final Inning: Focus Wins Championships
It’s tempting to chase speed, hacks, or applause. But in every great business—just like every great team—the winners are the ones who stay focused when others drift.
So this week, as the College World Series wraps up, ask yourself:
What’s my version of “keeping my eye on the ball”?
What goal matters enough for me to block out the noise?
And what am I doing today to stay focused on it?
