Extended empires are like expanded gold, exchanging solid strength for feeble splendor.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
While the work or play is on … don’t constantly feel you ought to be doing the other.
—Franklin P. Adams (1881–1960) American Columnist, Radio Personality, Author
You’re a wise person if you can easily direct your attention to what ever needs it.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.
—Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007) First Lady of the United States, Conservationist
Other people’s interruptions of your work are relatively insignificant compared with the countless times you interrupt yourself.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
When every physical and mental resources is focused, one’s power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Our thoughts take the wildest flight: Even at the moment when they should arrange themselves in thoughtful order.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
There is time enough for every thing in the course of the day, if you do but one thing at once ; but there is not time enough in the year, if you will do two things at a time.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Rather than viewing a brief relapse back to inactivity as a failure, treat it as a challenge and try to get back on track as soon as possible.
—Jimmy Connors (b.1952) American Tennis Player
Beware of dissipating your powers; strive constantly to concentrate them. Genius thinks it can do whatever it sees others doing, but it is sure to repent of every ill-judged outlay.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
The great difference between those who succeed and those who fail does not consist in the amount of work done by each but in the amount of intelligent work. Many of those who fail most ignominiously do enough to achieve grand success but they labor haphazardly at whatever they are assigned, building up with one hand to tear down with the other. They do not grasp circumstances and change them into opportunities. They have no faculty for turning honest defeats into telling victories. With ability enough and ample time, the major ingredients of success, they are forever throwing back and forth an empty shuttle and the real web of their life is never woven.
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses… on your powers, instead of your problems.
—Paul J. Meyer
Nothing interferes with my concentration. You could put on an orgy in my office and I wouldn’t look up. Well, maybe once.
—Isaac Asimov (1920–92) Russian-born American Writer, Scientist
Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.
—Bill Russell (1934–2022) American Basketball Player, Coach
No country can act wisely simultaneously in every part of the globe at every moment of time.
—Henry Kissinger (b.1923) American Diplomat, Academician
One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
A man may be so much of every thing, that he is nothing of any thing.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Give me a man who says this one thing I do, and not these fifty things I dabble in.
—Dwight L. Moody (1837–99) Christian Religious Leader, Publisher
The perplexity of life arises from there being too many interesting things in it for us to be interested properly in any of them.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
It is only when I daily with what I am about, look back and aside instead of keeping my eyes straight forward, that I feel these cold sinkings of the heart. But the first broadside puts all to rights.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
To be able to concentrate for a considerable time is essential to difficult achievement.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Think of many things, do only one.
—Common Proverb
Do whatever you do intensely.
—Robert Henri (1865–1929) American Painter, Teacher
Some people see more in a walk around the block than others see in a trip around the world.
—Unknown
Put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The field of consciousness is tiny. It accepts only one problem at a time.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
Nothing focuses the mind better than the constant sight of a competitor who wants to wipe you off the map.
—D. Wayne Calloway (1935–98) American Business Executive
The secret of concentration is the secret of self-discovery. You reach inside yourself to discover your personal resources, and what it takes to match them to the challenge.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson