Loose Focus

“You have to focus!” How many times have you heard that in your life? Whether it’s about work, studies, or solving a problem, the world constantly reminds us to zero in, sharpen our minds, and keep our eyes on the prize. But what if… we’re doing it wrong? What if the key to life isn’t to tighten focus but to loosen it?

Robin Williams, in the brilliant movie Patch Adams, gives us a clue. There’s a scene where his eccentric fellow patient, Arthur Mendelson, challenges Patch with a strange question:
"How many fingers do you see?"
Patch answers, “Four,” as any logical person would. But Arthur, unimpressed, insists:
"Look beyond the problem."

It’s only when Patch shifts his focus—when he stops fixating on the fingers and looks through them—that he finds the answer. Arthur’s point? Stop obsessing over the problem right in front of you. Step back, look wider, and see the bigger picture.

This idea isn’t just about fingers. It’s about life.

When you focus too hard, you risk tunnel vision. You might miss opportunities, connections, or solutions that are right on the edges of your perception. Life isn’t a multiple-choice question with only one correct answer. It’s a painting, rich with colors, textures, and nuances that only reveal themselves when you stop squinting and start seeing.

Patch beautifully extends this lesson in another iconic scene before a medical committee. He defends his unconventional approach to medicine, saying:
“When you treat a disease, you win some, you lose some. But when you treat a person, you always win.”

Let that sink in.

What if we stopped focusing so hard on "fixing the problem" in our relationships, careers, or personal struggles? What if we instead saw the whole person, the whole picture, and let compassion, curiosity, and even humor guide us?

So here’s my invitation to you: Loose focus.

• Next time you’re stuck on a problem, stop staring it down.
• Let your mind wander. Look around.
• Embrace the messiness of life’s uncertainties.

Sometimes, the best solutions—and the best moments—are found when you stop trying to find them.

And if all else fails, just remember: “How many fingers do you see?” 😊