Master your moment

I had a hard-nosed math professor in college who was always hounding us about focus. Every day, he'd growl, "You get what you focus on, so focus on what you want." At the time, I thought, "Seriously? Every day? I'm paying mortgage-level tuition for advice like that? How about you teach those algorithms, and I'll worry about my focus?" But after years of trying to make life work, I came to realize that the old educator wasn't just teaching complicated math: He was sharing a simple formula for success. I heard former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel speak at a coaches clinic, and he shared a story about focus that stuck with me. He talked about the powerhouse swimming program at Kenyon College, led by coach Jim Steen — a program that won 31 consecutive men's NCAA Division III championships and 23 women's titles. Curious about their success, Tressel invited Steen to Columbus. Steen declined: He was focused on his team. Tressel even offered to drive to Kenyon. Same answer. Like a skilled marksman, Steen locked in on his target and kept hitting the bullseye. Tressel also shared advice he once received from an experienced coach: "Keep your mind where your rear end is, or you'll never move up the coaching ladder." In other words, master the moment you're in, and the rest will take care of itself. By following that advice, Tressel eventually became the head coach at Ohio State, then president of Youngstown State University and, presently, lieutenant governor of Ohio. It makes me wonder: Did Steen or Tressel ever have a hard-nosed math professor growling, "You get what you focus on, so focus on what you want"? Maybe they heard it somewhere along the way. I know I did. Every day. But it took me years to understand it: focus plus discipline equals results. Tony Legando is a lifelong educator, a hall-of-fame football coach, and author of "To Lead a Good Life," parts 1 and 2, and "Fables for Young Leaders." He is also a public speaker who has inspired leaders for many years. You can contact him at legandot@gmail.com.