Reading time: 4 min

We are closing Q1 tomorrow... the best joke for Fool’s Day is that it’s already been 3 months of 2026. Time flies, life goes on, and we’ll never be as young as we are today (with all the biohacking, we haven't reverted time, yet).

Two busy weeks between a project for my last class (AI in Healthcare - using data to drive marketing and sales decisions in the pharma industry, to be more precise) and an event I co-hosted last week.

But two weeks in which I revisited a topic I often ponder about: focus, work, and purpose.

Between what we do daily and where we want to end up, there is a missing link. Let’s bridge that gap, at least by exploring some ideas that put things into perspective.

There's this well-known story about Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

Years ago, at a dinner party, the host asked both of them to write down on a piece of paper the single most important factor in their success. They didn't compare notes. But when they flipped their papers over, they had written the exact same word: focus.

Why? Because one can be highly disciplined and execute tasks day in and day out. But like doing chores around the house, it keeps us busy. It creates the illusion of momentum. But is it adding steps toward the right goal? (Not saying we don't need to clean the house, but you get the metaphor.)

On the other side, one can have a massive vision. The great dream to aim for. But without a plan and the execution ability... it's just a dream.

So in between TASKS and VISION, there is THE PROJECT.

Or most of the time, multiple projects that build for something bigger. And to actually finish project after project requires focus.

The ability to activate those "laser eyes" and turn off distractions (at least a few hours weekly, great if done daily).

But can focus be developed?

It seems there are two invisible forces pulling the strings: PUSH and PULL. They either work for us or against us.

This exact same dynamic applies to distractions. Our brains are biologically wired to take the path of least resistance.

We are pulled toward things that give us a cheap, quick dopamine hit. And we tend to run away from all those uncomfortable things that stretch us. But a bit of stretching is necessary for growth.

So to make it easier to actually do the hard activities that move the needle, we have to manipulate the equation. We need to:

Let's pick something easy like reading a book instead of doom-scrolling.

We increase the PULL by picking a book that sparks curiosity and makes us eager to read.
We decrease the PUSH by making sure distracting apps are muted or our phone is in another room.

Definitely, in practice, things can get more complex than that, but the mechanics are the same:

Stop → Analyze → Reframe

Here's what this looks like for me this week:

I have at least 3 AI projects in the pipeline, but I haven't put them into words to present them accurately.

Why? At first, it was a bit boring to write about something I had already finished. But because I postponed it (as other things felt more urgent), one simple task transformed into a pile.

So here is my equation:

I hope this inspired your 3 min of introspection. For something for the week, or even better, for the next quarter ahead. It doesn’t have to be related to work. It can be about life, family, diet, sports. A plan to catch your focus and build towards a fulfilling life.

Have an amazing week, full of focus,
Silvia