Focus on What Truly Matters: Go an Inch Wide and a Mile Deep
Learn how to focus on one goal at a time, align with your values, and create meaningful change in work, relationships, and life.
Focus is one of those deceptively simple words. We all think we know it, we’ve all read ‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport, and ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. If 2026 brings the same chaotic pace as 2025 — competing goals, family commitments, and endless possibilities — holding your attention on one thing long enough to complete or master it can feel impossible.
Only about 8–14% of people achieve the goals they set, but those who write them down and review them regularly are significantly more likely to succeed — up to 4.2 times more than those who don’t. Setting specific, value‑aligned goals further increases success by up to 30–40%, and regular tracking or accountability can boost results even more.^
Often the reason we fail at any given goal is because:
We didn’t fully connect with it and don’t believe we can do it.
The goals set were not truly aligned with our values or deeper desires.
We don’t have a clear plan for how/when we’ll move forward, what challenges to expect, or where the finish line is.
Whether it’s going after a career goal, applying for a job, or even finding the perfect partner, I’ve learned from personal experience that the most calm and effective way to create change is by narrowing my focus and knowing my values.
It’s not about rushing. It’s about being thoughtful, doing research, and asking yourself the hard questions:
What do I want?
What do I not want?
Why, why, why, why, why… (the five why’s).
Digging to the Heart of What You Really Want
Let’s take a career example. A client said:
“I want a really well-paid role.”
I asked: Why?
“Because I want to take my family on overseas holidays.”
Why?
“Because I work late and miss weeknight dinners, and I want to make up for it with meaningful adventures.”
Why?
“Because I feel guilty I’m missing their childhood and putting the burden on my partner.”
Why?
“I just want to spend more time with them.”
Bingo. This client didn’t actually want a high-paying job—they wanted a life that allowed them to be emotionally and physically present. By clarifying true values like family, connection, and presence, they could focus on flexible roles that align with their priorities, not just the salary.
When you know your values, your energy, focus, and engagement naturally shine—in interviews, relationships, or any goal you pursue - increasing your chance of success.
Focus Over Volume
Many people apply for jobs, attend interviews, or chase goals in a spread-yourself-thin kind of way. I once saw someone post a video about applying for 650 jobs, attending 10 interviews, and receiving only three offers… proudly saying it was simply a numbers game. From where I’m standing, that is very bad math. The problem? They probably hadn’t connected with what truly mattered. They were going wide, mostly unnoticed.
My approach is the opposite: go an inch wide and a mile deep. By focusing on one goal at a time that aligns with your values, you:
Increase clarity and confidence
Reduce overwhelm and distraction
Show intentional energy that others notice
Discover Your Values
A key part of focus is knowing your values. Many clients don’t even know what their core values are until we explore them.
That’s why I created the Values Bingo Card — a tool for discovering what matters most through reflection and simple exercises. Once you clarify your values, it becomes easier to make intentional decisions, prioritise actions, and stay motivated.
Values bingo card - Life coach jilly
Tend slowly, Focus Like a Garden
Change isn’t a race—it’s like tending a garden:
Plant the seed
Water it
Give it time, patience, and attention
By focusing on one goal (the right one) at a time, you notice your body’s responses— ease, expansion, or tensions and shrinking. This is what Martha Beck calls the Body Compass, a tool to guide decisions both big and small.
For example, last September, I hiked the Camino de Santiago (Del Norte trail) in Spain. After seven days and 170km of hiking, I realised my body and intuition were telling me it wasn’t the right time to continue.
A family emergency meant I had to ask: Was it time to come home? Or was I going into rescue mode?
By trusting my values—family first—I chose to fly back to Australia. It was a powerful reminder that knowing your values guides your decisions, even in big moments, and that no one else’s approval is needed.
Focus Fortnight: From Confusion to Clarity
To help people who feel stuck, I developed Focus Fortnight, a two-week process to move from scattered goals to one meaningful target.
Here’s what we do:
Identify Your “Right” Goal – The goal that makes your body feel aligned and expansive
Visualise Success – Imagine achieving it and the cost of not pursuing it
Design Milestones – Break it into actionable, manageable steps
Tend Your Goal Like a Garden – Plant, water, and create space for growth
By going deep rather than wide, you increase clarity, presence, and energy. People notice your alignment. You feel seen. You move forward confidently. You can buddy up with a partner to keep each other accountable over four check-ins in 14 days:
Why Focus and Values Work Together
Focus isn’t about being perfect. When you align your actions with your values:
You stop wasting energy on things that don’t matter
You increase motivation and follow-through
You make intentional, confident decisions
You create change that lasts
Focus isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention, patience, and presence. Like Suzanne Eder writes: What you want wants you. When your energy aligns with your intention, opportunities and success follow.
I hope the Values Bingo Card and Focus Fortnight Program serve you as useful tools. Would love to hear how you go. Let me know via the query form or email me directly hello@lifecoachjilly.com
