Scalable Human Blog

TL;DR

In a year of big personal changes, I learned that focus is finite, and chasing too many goals leads to burnout rather than breakthroughs—prioritizing high-impact work over busywork is the key to real progress.

Introduction

Ever feel like you’re juggling a dozen balls, only to watch them all crash down? That’s exactly how 2025 felt for me, a whirlwind year marked by moving into a new home and adopting a dog. Amid these life shifts, I grappled with professional overload, realizing that true success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. In this post, I’ll share the lessons I learned on focusing finite energy for maximum impact, helping you avoid the traps I fell into and build a more intentional path forward.

The “Two Rabbits” Philosophy

You know the old proverb: “The man who chases two rabbits catches neither.” It hit home hard this year. With major milestones like settling into a new house and welcoming a furry family member, I tried keeping up with endless professional pursuits—side projects, daily blogging, and even obsessing over a perfect GitHub streak. It seemed productive at first, but I quickly saw that high output doesn’t always mean high impact. Spreading myself thin left me exhausted. Instead, I learned to pick my “rabbits” wisely, channeling energy into fewer, more meaningful goals.

Corporate Realities: “Fluff” vs. Impact

In the corporate world, it’s tempting to pile on extras, thinking they’ll showcase your ambition. I fell into that trap, loading up on tasks that felt like growth but were really just fluff. The real eye-opener? Advancement comes from aligning your efforts with core business goals, not the sheer volume of work. Those “point-scoring” activities, like chasing metrics for metrics’ sake, rarely move the needle. By focusing on specific, valuable contributions, I started seeing real recognition—proving that impact trumps busyness every time.

The Power of the Morning Sprint

To reclaim my focus, I revamped my routine with a “Morning Sprint” approach. This means diving into the toughest, most leveraged tasks before noon, when my brain is at its sharpest. Afternoons then become a lighter cruise for admin work or quick wins. The change was game-changing: consistency soared, and the workday felt less overwhelming. It’s a simple hack that leverages our natural energy peaks, turning potential slumps into productive flow. (Although granted this technique is not always doable when the deadline crunch is on, I do result to pomodoro when this is required for certain deep focus activities)

Systemic Health and Movement

This year, I integrated movement seamlessly by adding a walking treadmill to my workspace. Now, I stay active during deep-focus sessions, making fitness a natural part of productivity rather than a chore. It reinforced that small systemic changes, like this, build sustainable habits without derailing your day. Just doing weight training alone is not enough which is still core to my active health.

Looking Ahead: Intentionality over Activity

As 2026 approaches, I’m committing to minimalism in my efforts. That means ditching “point-scoring” habits, like forcing daily posts or streak obsessions, and only pursuing projects with a clear purpose. Professionally, it’s all about strategic growth: pouring 100% into high-value work that drives business impact. After a year of foundational building—new home, optimising health routines, and a dog—I’m shifting to “sniper mode”: fewer targets, but with laser precision.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize ruthlessly: Chase one “rabbit” at a time to avoid diluted efforts and achieve deeper impact.
• Align with value: Focus professional energy on core goals, cutting fluff that doesn’t contribute to real advancement.
• Optimize your routine: Use a Morning Sprint to tackle high-cognitive tasks early, saving easier ones for later.
• Integrate health holistically: Make movement a byproduct of work, like with a desk treadmill, to sustain long-term energy.
• Embrace intentional pivots: Regularly assess projects for their “why,” and don’t hesitate to drop or redirect low-spark ones.

Conclusion

2025 taught me that focus is indeed finite, but when wielded intentionally, it unlocks extraordinary results. By letting go of the noise and honing in on what truly matters, I’ve set the stage for a more fulfilling year ahead. What’s one “rabbit” you’re ready to stop chasing? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and keep the conversation going.

📚 Further Reading & Related Topics
If you’re exploring 2025 year review and the importance of focus in lessons learned, these related articles will provide deeper insights:
• Traditional Software Engineering vs AI Revolution: A Look into 2025 – This article examines the shifts in software engineering amid the AI revolution in 2025, offering insights into big moves and adaptations that complement the year review’s emphasis on key lessons.
• Deep Work for Software Engineers: Maximizing Productivity in a Distracted World – It explores strategies for deep focus and productivity, directly relating to the main post’s theme of why focus matters in achieving big moves.
• My Journey from Coding Novice to Software Engineering Pro: A Christmas Reflection – This personal reflection on growth and lessons learned over time mirrors the introspective nature of a year review, highlighting key takeaways from professional development.