How to be driven and focused

“The most successful people in the world have an insatiable hunger to do more, be more, give more and create more.” – Tony Robbins

Hunger is the ultimate driver. Hunger is the part of you that says, “I will not stop. I will not give up.” Hunger will destroy your fear of failure.

Your hunger determines whether you talk about the life you want to live, or take massive action to make that dream a reality. Learning how to be a driven person is the key to an extraordinary life lived on your terms.

Hunger is also what gets you through life’s inevitable setbacks. It’s the inner strength that will push you to keep going, even when you think you’ve failed. It’s what will make you stronger, more capable and more powerful than ever.

If you have a hunger to serve something greater than yourself, you’ll never hurt for energy. You’ll never hurt for excitement. If you master how to be driven and focused, you’ll be able to push yourself beyond your limitations – because we’ll all do more for others than we’ll ever do for ourselves. That’s the beauty of being human.

How to be a driven person

Hunger isn’t just wanting to get fit for the summer or climbing the career ladder because that’s what you think is expected of you. Discovering how to be a driven person means taking a deeper look at your purpose in life.

1. Admit what’s holding you back

If you’re wondering how to be driven and focused, you’re probably not where you’d like to be in life. Your first step is to look around. Are you surrounding yourself with quality people? Are you using your time wisely? It’s hard to admit to yourself the things that are holding you back. Tony himself had a moment of clarity early in his career when he realized, “I know who I am as a man, financially, psychologically, emotionally, physically, is so much more than I’m demonstrating.” He set out to change that.

The gift of drive

2. Align with your highest purpose

The key to how to be a driven person is wanting to serve something greater than yourself. Everything and everybody has a higher purpose – and when you’re driven by that purpose, you can experience a life of deep meaning, joy and fulfillment. But how do you tap into that drive? You have to have a powerful why. Remember, reasons come first; answers come second. Create a compelling vision that will unleash your hunger and drive.

3. Find your driving force

what is your gift of drive

Every person on the planet has Six Human Needs: certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth and contribution. Each of us has a top human need that drives every decision we make. This is why Tony says that “There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream or desire a reality.” To learn how to be a driven person, you must understand your top need so that you can unleash its ability to change your life. Take the Driving Force Quiz to get started.

4. Visualize

Goal visualization is a powerful tool for those who want to know how to be driven and focused. It’s proven to help you maximize your performance. That’s why athletes from Michael Phelps to Connor McGregor have used it to propel them to great heights. How does it work? By giving you absolute certainty. When you visualize your goals over and over, you actually “trick” your brain into thinking you’ve accomplished them. Make an exercise like priming a part of your morning routine and start seeing the rewards of goal visualization today.

gift of drive

5. Get inspired

Still wondering how to be a driven person? Feeding your mind is another essential habit of successful people – and one way to do that is to read books or listen to podcasts about people who inspire you. Start with the Tony Robbins Podcast episode “How to Overcome the Most Unfathomable Odds.” Two decades ago, Gabi Laszinger got lost in Katmandu – and never left. Since then, she’s committed her life to rescuing children in Nepal. Hear how Gabi’s internal drive has helped her overcome tremendous setbacks in order to save others, plus another incredible story of service beyond self. 

Feeling pumped up, enthusiastic, ambitious, energized? Don’t stop now. Take these tips for how to be driven and focused and commit to using them every day. You’ll truly transform your life.

What’s your top need that drives your life?

In order to fully use and share our gifts, we must understand how our human needs shape our thoughts, behaviors and actions. Take this free quiz to discover your top human need and how it shapes you.