Stay in Your Lane: The Power of Focus

By Tunde David Animashaun

Recently, I was driving along the highway in my Peugeot 5008. My attention was fixed on arriving safely at my destination, keeping within the speed limit, and maintaining control. Yet, as I drove, I noticed other vehicles speeding past—some pushing recklessly over the limit, others in cars not even as stable or well-kept as mine.

At that moment, a lesson struck me. Life often feels like this highway. Some people seem to be racing ahead—overtaking, pushing limits, and appearing to get ahead faster. If we are not careful, we might compare ourselves and begin to feel as though we are being left behind. But the truth is: speed without purpose is meaningless. Many who rush forward are unsure of where they’re going, or what truly matters.

A man—or woman—without focus will jump at everything life presents. Achievements by those around us can easily stir feelings of jealousy or inadequacy if we lose sight of our own path. But when we have clarity of purpose, we are not swayed by the noise, distractions, or temporary successes of others. A focused individual does not measure their progress by the lane next to them, but by the destination they are heading toward.

The danger of chasing after everything we see is that we end up with half-baked efforts and missed opportunities. Some people pursue ventures not because they are ready or aligned with their goals, but simply because others around them have done something similar. In doing so, they compromise the very foundation that would carry them steadily into the next stage of their journey.