Florence's coach and family followed in a small boat, cheering her on. "Go for it, Florence! You can do it," they shouted.

The problem today was the fog. It was really foggy. Even after 15 hours of swimming, Florence still could not see the shoreline. Discouragement and fatigue began to set in. Florence finally took her last stroke, telling her coach she just couldn't go on. She quit.

Her family and coach consoled Florence as they pulled her aboard the boat, and she collapsed with exhaustion.

As it turned out, Florence quit too soon that cold July morning. She swam twenty-five and a half miles, but because she could not see the end - couldn't focus on the goal - Florence Chadwick fell short by a half-mile. Had she been able to focus, the results would have been different.

When asked by a reporter why she gave up, Florence replied, "It was the fog. I could have finished. But when you can't see your goal, you lose all sense of progress and you begin to give up."

Athletic Principle

Focus is the "state of clear defination," or the ability to concentrate on a specfic area or idea. Focus allows you to function in a complicated environment. Without focus you would be overloaded with too much input from your senses. Finding the appropiate center of interest can be a challenge. The real problem begins when you focus on things that are not important, or when you fail to focus on the important areas.

You have may heard your coach yell "focus" at critical moments in competition. As an athlete you are always focused, the problem is you may not be focused on what is important. The challenge is dealing with distractions that direct your thoughts, your self-talk and your vision away from the task at hand.

Too often athletes focus on worries, negative thoughts, or other concerns that will not enhance performance. A negative focus immoblizes you and forces you to be directed to the problem or distraction in which you face. A lack of clear, well-defined focus leaves no room for making confident decisions and proper reactions.

How then in the face of pressure packed competition can you maintain an effective focus?

God's Performance Principle

In the midst of practice or competition, every athlete is bombarded with distractions. The Christian athlete has the additional responsibility of living a life pleasing to God.

A message on the refrigerator. A note on the mirror. A sticker on the dashboard of the car. Everyone needs reminders to think about, or to do something important. God does not want you to forget the godly goal - what He wants you do in your life.

Notes from God

If fact God has left many notes in the Bible to remind you. Much of the Old Testament is a symbol of God's love and grace directed towards His children. Throughout history God has used images and symbols to help His people remember His power and His plan. These "notes" to us are similar to what we call FOCAL POINTS.

Audible Focal Points

God gave the Israelities an audible focal point when they heard a blast from a silver trumpet while in combat.

Mental Focal Points

The apostle Paul also gives some examples of mental focal points to center our thoughts on when distractions buzz around us:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)

God also provided visual focal points as well:

• The stones in and beside the Jordan River reminded the Israelities of their miraculous crossing into the promised land. (Joshua 4:4-7)
• The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night was the Israelities protection and guide for forty years. (Exodus 13:21-22)
• The passover meal was and is a yearly reminder of God's provision and protections for His chosen people. (Exodus 12:21-27 and Numbers 9:2)

Many Christian athletes have used a variety of symbols as focal points. It is important to remember that the purpose of focal points is not to draw attention to yourself or to the images, but rather to help you remember to keep God at the center of what you think, say and do.

• Visual Ideas

1. Cross - Taped or marked on a shoe, helmet, glove, etc. A cross is a reminder of the great sacrifice that Christ made to pay for your sin.
2. Fish symbol - This symbol is a reminder of the early Christians' trust in God despite severe persecution. The fish symbol was their way of identifying each other as true Christians. They were committed to being a witness in words and actions, regardless of the cost.

• Verbal Ideas

1. "Nail It" - A reminder that Christ was nailed to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. You can say, "Nail It" to remind yourself to nail your frustrations and anger to the cross (Romans 6) and not let the situation interfere with your competition. (Colossians 2:13)
2. "Press On" - A reminder to press on towards the goal of representing Christ as you face the challenges of competition. (Philippians 3:14)
3. "Focus" - A verbal challenge to refocus your attention on Christ and His desire for your life at that particular moment. (Hebrews 12:2)
4. "Can Do" - A verbal reminder that "I can do all things through Christ you gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

• Mental Ideas

1. Memorize scripture from God's Word for particular situations to use as a motivation to refocus - to live out God's will, or as artillery against temptation. (Psalm 119:11)

The use of focal points is not to minimize your concentration in your sport, but to actually do what you've been called to do in God's way. In other words, don't let the use of focal points distract you, but rather use them to enhance your overall motivation, thoughts, words and actions.