Focus: Light at the end of the Tunnel
Tunnel Karangahake Gorge
This may sound a bit cliché, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Last weekend, while out walking, I encountered several tunnels. These tunnels became a timely metaphor for me, as I had recently lost sight of one of my key goals: providing five mentoring sessions a week to assist young entrepreneurs. Walking through the tunnel reminded me of the two things that truly mattered—my feet and the light at the end. I realised that I had allowed distractions to creep in, diverting my focus from what really mattered. To regain momentum, I needed to refocus, get my goal back into my sights, and start taking meaningful steps toward it.
“Every meaningful step towards a goal matters”
Focus on the Next Step
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that success is rarely about giant leaps—it’s about small, consistent steps. Walking through that tunnel, I couldn’t jump to the end. I had to focus on each step, ensuring I was heading toward the light. The same applies in life. When we get overwhelmed, it's easy to lose track of our larger goals. But by focusing on our next action, we slowly move forward.
Acknowledge the Distractions
It's easy to get lost in the noise of daily life—emails, meetings, errands. While these things are necessary, they often pull us away from our bigger mission. I realised that I had become distracted, not just by external factors, but by my own tendency to overextend. When you acknowledge distractions, you give yourself the power to correct course.
The Light Won’t Move—You Have To
The light at the end of the tunnel symbolises your destination, but it doesn’t come to you; you must move toward it. I was waiting for things to "fall into place" instead of actively realigning my actions with my vision. That walk reminded me that achieving my goals wasn’t about waiting for the right moment—it was about creating momentum through intentional action.
Focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel requires a combination of mindful action and deliberate focus. But before you can move forward, you must identify the distractions holding you back.
My Learnings:
I will have more clarity about my goal after I start taking small steps toward it.
Sometimes, I’m the one getting in my own way, and recognising that is crucial.
The closer I got to the light, the more energized I became.
My Questions for You:
What is distracting you from reaching your primary goals?
What small steps can you take today to move closer to your vision?
Are you waiting for conditions to be perfect, or are you taking active steps to achieve your goal?
Sometimes you will need to intentionally refocus yourself until you are back into a healthy rhythm.
"Focus does not mean saying yes, it means saying no." — Steve Jobs
Reach out, and let's take time to discover how we can progress together. Remember daily to, 'Find value in your influence.' Your voice matters, and I'm excited to hear from and work with you!"
Written By: Paul Fawcett.
