Patrick McKeown - Atomic Focus: Harness the True Power of Your Brain, Develop Resilience Against Stress, and Get Focused with Simple Breathing Exercises to Change Your Mental and Physical State

To Sinead and Lauren

A SHORTFALL IN EDUCATION

T wo mental abilities are essential to every walk of life. Regardless of your age, background, or occupation, these states determine the difference between success and failure, happiness and unhappiness. We spend years in formal education, sharpening our brains to think, question, and analyze. But little time is spent developing the tools necessary to achieve the two essential abilities. From the school child to the university student, the office worker to the health professional, in elite sports and the military the abilities to focus and to hold attention for a sustained period of time to the exclusion of distractions are the keys to success.

The school system demands that children have the capacity to be attentive to their studies. When we grow up, to be productive and excel in whatever endeavor we choose, society demands the same skill. We must be able to use our mind to focus, concentrate, and hold attention. Some people have this ability naturally. They are lucky. The rest of us may go through life never reaching our full potential. Considering the skill is so cherished by society, why are we not taught how to concentrate? This is a question that has bugged me for many years. Difficulties in concentration are linked to poor social relationships, poor self-learning, and poor academic performance, and they affect our ability to progress in life.

If you struggle with concentration, you may have tried mindfulness. However, to become body and mind aware an essential component of mindfulness you should take several steps to improve your bodys physiology first. This will make your brain calmer so that will be much easier to be mind and body aware and you will be able to benefit from mindfulness techniques.

I have a personal motive for addressing this problem. Im not in any way unique, but I found a solution to my own poor concentration, and I have since achieved things that I (and my schoolteachers) would have never thought possible.

In 1997, I happened across a newspaper article about the breath. It described how I could improve oxygen delivery, achieve deep sleep, and alter my brain states using simple breathing exercises. Whats more, the breathing techniques I discovered were the opposite to what is commonly taught in the Western world. That article changed my life. My intuition, creativity, concentration, and focus flourished. Tough days became much easier to manage, because I had the tools to manage stress. Stressful situations dont actually cause stress. Our stress is caused by our reaction to the situation. This can be compounded if your body physiology is out of balance, and stress can soar, even over minor issues.

I believe in this stuff so much, Ive made a career out of it. Now, 20 years on, with eight books published in 14 languages, patented breathing products, and 700 instructors worldwide who I have trained, I feel I have something to share on the subjects of focus, concentration, and success.

I dont say this to toot my own horn but to reassure you. I have worked with tens of thousands of people in business, SWAT, military, sports, and from every walk of life. I am fortunate to be able to help others, on a daily basis, to reach their potential.

And thats why Im writing this book. If youve never thought about how to change your brain state from the inside out, chances are youre stuck hampered by poor sleep, fast, hard breathing, and mental chatter that sabotages your focus and quality of work.

And I know I can help.

Pascoe, Michaela C., Sarah E. Hetrick and Alexandra G. Parker. The Impact of Stress on Students in Secondary School and Higher Education. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth 25, no. 1 (2020): 104-112.

A SECRET INGREDIENT FOR SUCCESS

W hat do you think it takes to achieve success?

What does success mean to you?

For many people, success equals financial freedom. For others, its recognition, doing what you love, or feeling valued at work or at home.

In this book, we will explore the path to your personal idea of success. Well learn how to harness the secret ingredient used by billionaires, elite athletes, and artists alike. An ingredient essential for performance, success, and even for healthy, happy relationships.

What Is the Secret Ingredient?

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are two of the richest men in the world. They have a joint worth of $165 billion US.

They are also good friends. Gates first met Buffett at a dinner party organized by Gates parents. The story goes that Gates mother asked everyone around the table to identify the one thing that was most important for their success. Both Gates and Buffett answered with a single word.

Focus.

Focus, Concentration, and Attention Span Whats the Difference?

While they tend to get lumped together, it is useful to clearly differentiate between concentration, attention span, and focus.

Focus :
to narrow your attention to one thing.

Concentration :
to hold your attention on one thing.

Attention Span:
how long you can concentrate for.

But How?

Scientists have shown that concentration comes in waves, a bit like a spotlight brightening and dimming. However, if your brain is as unsettled as a moth in front of that spotlight, dont panic.

Concentration is a mental muscle. And its one you can train.

Its simple, right?

To improve concentration , just cut out distractions. Clear your internal mental chatter and your mental space so you can direct your attention to the one thing. Clear external distractions like technology, people, and situations. Some cultures even recommend clearing your physical space for a clear mind.

To boost attention span , you need to stop thinking.

To develop focus , you need to set goals, to know where youre going. To be at the top of your game, focus on one thing.

I said it was simple, didnt I? Throw out all your furniture, stop thinking, and define your goals.

If it were easy, wed all be able to do it. Youd be sitting on the floor, and this would be a really short book.

So, lets dig a little deeper.

LASER FOCUS

F ocus is about narrowing (and holding) your attention on just one thing. Its about eliminating distractions and learning to calm a racing mind.

The concept of focus also applies more broadly. What is the focus of your life? What are your goals and dreams?

When you understand focus in this sense, it can help you to identify your lifes purpose. Or, at least, find work you love. A whopping 85% of people are not engaged with their work and are unhappy in their jobs, but its much easier to be focused when you do a job that suits you.