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Total Focus
What do you do at work when a hundred crises seem to be happening at the same time? Do you pick just one priority or try to put out every fire? How can you stay composed, figure out what really matters, and act decisively? When former U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Brandon Webb transitioned to civilian life, he struggled to get his first startup business off the ground. He raised millions for his new venture, only to lose it all as problems spiraled out of his control. In the wake of that failure, Webb realized that successful entrepreneurs need a skill he had already total focus. SEAL snipers define it as the ability to filter out noise and chaos so you can make life-or-death decisions under the extreme conditions of combat. If he could maintain total focus while staring through crosshairs at a man who might (or might not) be an Al Qaeda terrorist, surely he could do the same in the business world. So Webb started over, applying total focus to a new startup, a media company called Hurricane Group. His approach was so effective that in just five years, Hurricane grew to have a staff of over fifty, an audience in the tens of millions, and a valuation of more than $100 million. In this book, Webb teaches us to make better decisions under extreme pressure by emulating the habits of his fellow warriors, as well as other skills he learned on the job and from great friends and business leaders like Solomon Choi of 16 Handles, Matt Meeker of BarkBox, and Betsy Morgan of the Huffington Post and TheBlaze. For instance, you’ll · The difference between total focus and tunnel vision is developing total situational the ability to spot opportunities and threats without getting distracted from your goal. · You can overcome indecisiveness and hesitancy by accepting violence of a decision to move forward with an imperfect plan, knowing that even the best-laid plans go wrong. · Entrepreneurs must learn to embrace the suck, refusing to quit when the going gets brutal, and recognizing that unexpected challenges may reveal your best shot at success.By following the tactics and wisdom of a generation of legendary snipers and business leaders, you’ll find the clarity of mind you need to accomplish your own mission—whatever it takes.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2017
74 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 18, 2022
"Chase two rabbits, both will escape..."
—Russian proverb
Total Focus was a decent read, but not really what I was expecting... Although the book was well-done, it focuses primarily on the author's business ventures, and the lessons he's learned in the business world.
Author Brandon Tyler Webb is a former United States Navy SEAL and SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, with one combat deployment to Afghanistan and one to the Persian Gulf. He is also the founder and CEO of Hurricane Media Inc.
Brandon Webb:
The book is my second from the author, after his 2018 book: Mastering Fear: A Navy SEAL's Guide, which I really enjoyed.
Webb opens the book with a good intro. The writing here is decent, and it shouldn't have trouble holding the reader's attention. The contents are divided into 7 parts, which correspond to 7 different principles:
Each chapter above also features a case study, where Webb talks about a relevant person in his professional life who embodies the previous principle.
Webb also briefly covers his SEAL training in the famous BUD/S program; mentioning that many of the physically strong candidates he thought would succeed washed out early. Mindset and grit are more important than pure physicality in making it through the famously grueling training, says Webb.
The importance of self-talk is also covered early on here, as is his professional career.
He gives the reader a brief history of his background story; his time in the SEALs, and the eventual founding of his website SOFREP.com.
***************************
As mentioned at the beginning of this review, I enjoyed Total Focus, but it was not really what I was expecting going in... I also did not enjoy it quite as much as Mastering Fear.
A more apt title of this book would have been something along the lines of "Business Success and Resilience: A Navy SEALs Guide."
There is still much value here, and I would recommend this one.
4 stars.
—Russian proverb
Total Focus was a decent read, but not really what I was expecting... Although the book was well-done, it focuses primarily on the author's business ventures, and the lessons he's learned in the business world.
Author Brandon Tyler Webb is a former United States Navy SEAL and SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, with one combat deployment to Afghanistan and one to the Persian Gulf. He is also the founder and CEO of Hurricane Media Inc.
Brandon Webb:
The book is my second from the author, after his 2018 book: Mastering Fear: A Navy SEAL's Guide, which I really enjoyed.
Webb opens the book with a good intro. The writing here is decent, and it shouldn't have trouble holding the reader's attention. The contents are divided into 7 parts, which correspond to 7 different principles:
1) FRONT SIGHT FOCUS
2) TOTAL SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
3) VIOLENCE OF ACTION
4) EXCELLENCE MATTERS
5) EMBRACE THE SUCK
6) ONE TEAM, ONE FIGHT
7) LEAD FROM THE FRONT
Each chapter above also features a case study, where Webb talks about a relevant person in his professional life who embodies the previous principle.
Webb also briefly covers his SEAL training in the famous BUD/S program; mentioning that many of the physically strong candidates he thought would succeed washed out early. Mindset and grit are more important than pure physicality in making it through the famously grueling training, says Webb.
The importance of self-talk is also covered early on here, as is his professional career.
He gives the reader a brief history of his background story; his time in the SEALs, and the eventual founding of his website SOFREP.com.
***************************
As mentioned at the beginning of this review, I enjoyed Total Focus, but it was not really what I was expecting going in... I also did not enjoy it quite as much as Mastering Fear.
A more apt title of this book would have been something along the lines of "Business Success and Resilience: A Navy SEALs Guide."
There is still much value here, and I would recommend this one.
4 stars.
March 31, 2019
This is a great motivational book. The key point is to pick one thing to be EXCELLENT in and focus on DOING that one thing well. There are also other skills that entrepreneurs need to develop (but tend to ignore). An important one is 'know your number' - meaning knowing exactly how much revenue is required to be profitable, what are the sources of that revenue, and what is everything costing. Don't depend on someone else to track the numbers because the task seems too daunting. If you don't know the number you need to reach, how will you know what it takes to be successful?
Other benefits of this book is there are several chapters that profile individuals who faced obstacles and difficult decisions to make, took the risks, put in the hard work, and came out stronger for it. While the advice is typical, the real-life stories give readers something to relate to and help them envision their own path to success.
Other benefits of this book is there are several chapters that profile individuals who faced obstacles and difficult decisions to make, took the risks, put in the hard work, and came out stronger for it. While the advice is typical, the real-life stories give readers something to relate to and help them envision their own path to success.
February 27, 2021
First: AWESOME! Well narrated too. Great personal stories of the shared principles as a Navy Seal and growing entrepreneur. Work together. Time is cherished - can’t get back. Keep moving forward and don’t quit. Failure is not quitting- it is a learning experience for the next battle/challenge. The struggles and challenges shared really add to the message. I loved it!!!
March 12, 2023
Не фанат мотиваційних книг, але в цьому випадку доволі нетривіальний підхід робить чергове мотиваційне кліше доволі цікавим. Мова насамперед йде про паралелі між досвідом у бізнесі і досвідом колишнього снайпера і морського котика.
March 9, 2018
Basically, a decisive plan executed with commitment now, and the mindset to adapt on the fly, is better than becoming mired down with paralysis by analysis and losing the initiative.
Towards the end the book gets tangled up almost exclusively with decision-making related to business; I would have preferred if the author stayed focused on critical thinking in high pressure situtations.
Towards the end the book gets tangled up almost exclusively with decision-making related to business; I would have preferred if the author stayed focused on critical thinking in high pressure situtations.
February 14, 2025
Mentally rehearse the success you want to have. Examine your thoughts to make sure they align with your goals. Review the way you talk to yourself because even in something as physical as SEAL military training, mind-set – more than physical capacity – determines success.
One more concept I liked and I apply: In a business or a military unit, you must have a single team fighting a single fight.
One more concept I liked and I apply: In a business or a military unit, you must have a single team fighting a single fight.
September 5, 2017
Motivational-type of book, which I was able to take-away a few note-worthy suggestions.
February 8, 2023
I need to disagree with the "just focus on one single thing" (which seems to be the basic premise of the book). As someone who hates working in teams and became successful/fi ALONE, this kind of advice just doesn't resonate with me. I've said it in other reviews about books that try to tilt people in this direction, that what one can achieve on its own is far more moneywise than what could ever be spent realistically. Anything on top of that and you overwork, trade your time, introduce team overhead, all for what exactly? Unless you love teamwork ofc. I'm no Richard Branson but I'm always looking at the next interesting thing, have no problem doing things in parallel, multiple projects. That's what keeps it interesting! Many are long-term, but by juggling which day is about what, I'm longing for the other. Just like my move everyday thing where I rotate between multiple activities, instead of plateauing or injuring myself by spamming the same thing every day.
He shunned multitasking and distractions. But what if I enjoy my work better when there is a Twitch stream on the 3rd monitor? Also, I never would have "read" this book if I wasn't multitasking by listening to it while working out. This way I read over 100 books yearly, go figure. This was more about his business achievements and an ad to his persona, and mind you I have no idea who he was. I thought he was another David Goggins. I thought this was going to be about being a sniper, but there was barely any mention of that. I had to google what tis "sofrep" is.
He works too hard. He pushes too much for excellence. I guess being a SEAL changes you, there seems to be a tendency of the force spitting out entrepreneurs. It's okay if you need to hear the advice of this book, and to motivate you or something. For me it was rather neutral. Not bad, but not terribly useful either. Maybe we'll "meet" down the line a few years later and it turns out I should have focused on the one thing. But I just can't help it, life offers so many interesting side quests, and sometimes they become main quests!
He shunned multitasking and distractions. But what if I enjoy my work better when there is a Twitch stream on the 3rd monitor? Also, I never would have "read" this book if I wasn't multitasking by listening to it while working out. This way I read over 100 books yearly, go figure. This was more about his business achievements and an ad to his persona, and mind you I have no idea who he was. I thought he was another David Goggins. I thought this was going to be about being a sniper, but there was barely any mention of that. I had to google what tis "sofrep" is.
He works too hard. He pushes too much for excellence. I guess being a SEAL changes you, there seems to be a tendency of the force spitting out entrepreneurs. It's okay if you need to hear the advice of this book, and to motivate you or something. For me it was rather neutral. Not bad, but not terribly useful either. Maybe we'll "meet" down the line a few years later and it turns out I should have focused on the one thing. But I just can't help it, life offers so many interesting side quests, and sometimes they become main quests!
October 3, 2020
This was not the book I expected to read, with a title "Total Focus" I was expecting a more "tactical" book on increasing once's ability to concentrate/focus on complicated tasks. In some ways, this book does aim to help the reader do this, but more from a "strategic"/30k feet in the air perspective. The author is a former Navy SEAL, and he has some interesting stories on the nature of endurance, namely that it's mostly psychological (at least with respect to passing the critical physical training to achieve the membership to the Navy SEALs or other SpecOps units).
His contention is that one should not scatter-shot their endeavors to multiple different things, but to instead focus on one thing, and spend much of one's time building up that thing. Agree (to an extent). However, he doesn't really go into the mechanics of building up "focus" or what one can do to augment/increase one's ability to focus. Also, the nature of the author's use-cases are mostly within the realm of business/entrepreneurship. There's some good examples dealing with maintaining focus during adversity, personal, business, livelihood etc. However, these like the rest of the book are very high level.
It's not a bad book, just too broad for me to find it useful. Conditional recommend for pep-up.
His contention is that one should not scatter-shot their endeavors to multiple different things, but to instead focus on one thing, and spend much of one's time building up that thing. Agree (to an extent). However, he doesn't really go into the mechanics of building up "focus" or what one can do to augment/increase one's ability to focus. Also, the nature of the author's use-cases are mostly within the realm of business/entrepreneurship. There's some good examples dealing with maintaining focus during adversity, personal, business, livelihood etc. However, these like the rest of the book are very high level.
It's not a bad book, just too broad for me to find it useful. Conditional recommend for pep-up.
December 11, 2018
If you have read a fair amount of self-help books, it's easy to "triangulate" a set of lessons for success. Most books point out a similar set or subset of laws or principles and Total Focus does the same albeit through a Navy Seal/Sniper-slant. The author correlates success in the battlefield to success in the business arena and manages to share a ton of life and business lessons that are rarely covered in other self-help books. His years in the service also provides a lot of eye-opening experience and insights for civilians. The only thing that prevents me from giving it a fifth star is absence of a tightly-integrated framework for immediate application (in the vein of 7 Habits) but I'm guessing that is not the objective of the book. It serves to inform, entertain and inspire people to focus on what drives them and materialize it now. Overall, it's a worthwhile read from a person who has walked the talk.
May 12, 2018
Worthwhile Listening to this Audiobook and Packed with Insights
No matter what your business, you will gain encouragement from this audiobook. Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy seal sniper but faced and survived failure as a civilian. He raised millions to get his start-up off the ground and then lost it all when problems spiraled out of his control.
Yet Webb did not wallow in his failure but used those lessons for his next business—a media company called Hurricane Group. Within five years Webb grew the company to a staff of over fifty, tens of millions in their audience and a valuation of over $100 million.
The book focuses on seven key lessons and each chapter ends with a pointed and interesting case study from business. I heard this audiobook cover to cover and highly recommend it.
No matter what your business, you will gain encouragement from this audiobook. Brandon Webb is a former U.S. Navy seal sniper but faced and survived failure as a civilian. He raised millions to get his start-up off the ground and then lost it all when problems spiraled out of his control.
Yet Webb did not wallow in his failure but used those lessons for his next business—a media company called Hurricane Group. Within five years Webb grew the company to a staff of over fifty, tens of millions in their audience and a valuation of over $100 million.
The book focuses on seven key lessons and each chapter ends with a pointed and interesting case study from business. I heard this audiobook cover to cover and highly recommend it.
August 29, 2020
This is one of those books you read and then you buy and keep it on your living room table with a highlighter so every few days you open it as a refresher and highlight something new. Rinse and repeat until it’s years later and the book is all one big highlight. THEN, well then you choose a different color highlighter and go again! Then? Get a pen to underline. Yes, it’s that good and deserving of constant attention. Stay situationally aware and continue to read this book and use it as a wet stone to sharpen yourself daily!
“Man’s basic vice, Is the act of unfocusing his mind, the suspension of his consciousness, which is not blindness, but the refusal to see, not ignorance, but the refusal to know.” - Ayn Rand
“Man’s basic vice, Is the act of unfocusing his mind, the suspension of his consciousness, which is not blindness, but the refusal to see, not ignorance, but the refusal to know.” - Ayn Rand
June 10, 2018
This book quickly captured my attention and kept it the entire time. Plus, I craved it and couldn’t wait to get back to it each time I was away from it. That’s not something one says often about a business book. This title is now my top choice for business books! I highly recommend. If you strive to be your best in what you do and understand how passion drives you, this is a must read. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, read this book and discover what life is like when you’re fueled by passion.
While not ground-breaking in the overall message, the anecdotes are engaging and they serve as powerful reminders and motivators to focus on what matters most.
While not ground-breaking in the overall message, the anecdotes are engaging and they serve as powerful reminders and motivators to focus on what matters most.
November 16, 2020
Eh nothing fantastic here. If you have read a half dozen leadership books I'm sure this will not be anything new. A better personal development book by a former SEAL is Resilience by Eric Greitens, if you want a leadership book, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek.
An easy read but nothing new. The stories are okay but nothing sticks out. He talks about how 'excellence matters' but this book is just okay at best. Like Jocko Willink's Extreme Ownership I feel like it is overrated because it was written by someone with combat experience but does not stand up to the test of time when compared to classic leadership books.
An easy read but nothing new. The stories are okay but nothing sticks out. He talks about how 'excellence matters' but this book is just okay at best. Like Jocko Willink's Extreme Ownership I feel like it is overrated because it was written by someone with combat experience but does not stand up to the test of time when compared to classic leadership books.
February 7, 2021
For folks looking for hard outlines and steps of how to handle crises at work, maybe look elsewhere. This book is more for developing a mentality of better decision-making. It's not a script for how to make decisions in certain contexts.
That said, I'm going to re-read this book. I'll admit that my own biases made me skip the first half of the book. But the second half had material that REALLY resonated with me, so I'm willing to give this another chance.
Also, can I say how refreshing it is to see case studies of businesses that run with an idea and make money...BEFORE writing a business plan? Because I loved that.
That said, I'm going to re-read this book. I'll admit that my own biases made me skip the first half of the book. But the second half had material that REALLY resonated with me, so I'm willing to give this another chance.
Also, can I say how refreshing it is to see case studies of businesses that run with an idea and make money...BEFORE writing a business plan? Because I loved that.
November 26, 2020
A good read which advocates a few noteworthy points and principles especially around focus and leadership. It can definitely be useful if you are looking for some motivation before you startup. Most of these are points that one is typically aware of, but the book brings it together into a well compiled list with excerpts and examples both from the author's experience as well as other entrepreneurs. At times, the author does force fit his SEAL experience to these principles, but most times they seem appropriate and well connected.
June 16, 2021
Focused and Simple
Sharing his experience and story, while keeping the message focused and KISS (Keep It Simple/Stupid) makes this a good read for individuals both with an entrepreneurial spirit and those wishing to incorporate or enhance leadership competencies.
Well worth the time to read as the author also does not place his SEAL experience on some form of pedestal to imply this makes him a success but he shares how if one is focused ; driven and committed then success is possible in both good times and bad.
Sharing his experience and story, while keeping the message focused and KISS (Keep It Simple/Stupid) makes this a good read for individuals both with an entrepreneurial spirit and those wishing to incorporate or enhance leadership competencies.
Well worth the time to read as the author also does not place his SEAL experience on some form of pedestal to imply this makes him a success but he shares how if one is focused ; driven and committed then success is possible in both good times and bad.
January 25, 2018
I thought this book was excellent in that it provided a practical and tangible approach to excellence whilst also being honest about the amount of hard work and the mindset required. Good examples and case studies of learning from mistakes and failures. He is not claiming that he is perfect now but provides a framework to at least get as close to excellence as you can. This book should leave you energised, focused and with some new ideas.
December 6, 2018
Over all a good book that connects principles of leadership common to military and business life, although they can apply to many other areas. At times, the book drifts into name-dropping and chest-thumping about his success. While I enjoyed the book, the author lacked the style and humility of Admiral McCraven's book *Make Your Bed.* There's a way to talk about your knowledge without sounding like you're bragging.
April 21, 2019
Was a very good book that helped me through the initial tough part of adapting to NS life. Started my reading journey during NS and appealed to me due to connecting both military and business together. Motivated me in NS by showing that there are things to be learnt while serving. Was very interesting and taught a lot, though I lost interest at certain parts, however overall it was still captivated me well.
May 20, 2019
Not gonna lie, I skipped about a bit during the second half of this book. It's ironic that a book called Total Focus can feel like it lacks focus...but there you go. I enjoyed Brandon's other book on Mastering Fear which is much tighter and more concise, the quality of that book felt much higher. My opinion, browse this book if you will, maybe read the first 3 or 4 chapters and then skip the rest. Ps. there's a neat little summary at the very end that you can skim for a spark's note version.
March 30, 2025
La combinación con la realidad de un francotirador enriquece y quiero resaltar una frase que me parece interesante y que varias empresas pecan con esto hoy en día.
"Too often businesses assume they know what the customer wants, usually because it's what they would want. But you are not your customer"
También, resalto como el libro habla de que no está mal fallar, sin tapujos. Y como tomar esto como un impulso a seguir.
Sin ser perfecto, es un libro muy recomendable.
"Too often businesses assume they know what the customer wants, usually because it's what they would want. But you are not your customer"
También, resalto como el libro habla de que no está mal fallar, sin tapujos. Y como tomar esto como un impulso a seguir.
Sin ser perfecto, es un libro muy recomendable.
January 4, 2018
kind of disappointed. I really like Brandon's story, but it veers off into a straight business book in about the last third and that's not exactly what I was there for. I thought this was going to be more on how to manage focus under pressure, not business 101.
I still thought there were some good ideas in here. Especially in the first half.
I still thought there were some good ideas in here. Especially in the first half.
February 28, 2019
For a book called Total Focus, it seemed that this book really lacked focus in its guidance. It’s a cumulation of solid business advice, but I found the stories repetitive not only within the story, but also following the author’s other book “Mastering Fear”. This could have been much better with concise language and a clear direction.
September 6, 2019
This was a fantastic book. I listened to it on audo and couldn't wait to get into my car to hear more. The chapter on excellence may very well be THE best chapter of a book of this nature that I have ever read. So many applicable lessons to personal and professional life. Thank you, Brandon, for sharing this with us all.
April 15, 2024
This was a good read. It gave an honest perspective on the building blocks for success in business. Lessons from the book range from "front sight focus" or keeping the main thing the main thing to violence of action. Success goes to those who take action not those who ponder. a solid read and worth rereading if I ever feel like I forgot the lessons of the book.
October 28, 2017
I was biased by his ex-seal status. All seven chapters he's on offense( contrary to defense). The chapter on embracing the suck appealed to me. Lots of stories to get you to move your butt. Pick it up.
April 12, 2019
It’s a good reminder of what my own values are and how I’m using those to focus my own actions and attention. Maybe a bit overly elaborated and repetitive in places, but some of the case studies were excellent.
May 23, 2022
Like the authors voice, just sometimes the message is super cheesy. Editor did a great job, but there was a lot of substance lacking. Also got to begin to sound a bit repetitive. Appreciate the effort, the stories and the motivational direction. Might be what some people want/need.
March 26, 2023
This book on business leadership was a great and easy read. With the author being an ex-SEAL-turned-businessman, I enjoyed the parallels from the military to the business world. Definitely worth hanging onto this one to reference in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews