B2 – Upper Intermediate
Experts often determine what to focus on through a combination of experience, knowledge, and strategic thinking.
In essence, experts use a blend of knowledge, experience, analysis, and adaptability to determine what to focus on in their respective domains. They often prioritize based on the bigger picture, understanding how their actions contribute to overarching goals or solve critical problems.
Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is the meaning of the idiom “cast a wide net”? “If you want to master and deeply understand the core fundamentals of a task you may, paradoxically, need to start by casting a very wide net.” Use in your own sentence.
- What does the phrasal verb “whittle something down” mean? “Then you need to edit those words and whittle them down to the most powerful version possible.” Use in your own sentence.
- What does “make a call” mean in this context, “Even when you do measure things, however, there comes a point where you have to make a call and decide what to focus on.”? Use this expression in your own words.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your thoughts on this, “Focus is a core factor of success.“
- What methods or strategies do you think experts use to prioritize their tasks or goals effectively?
- Can you share an instance where you had to decide what to focus on? How did you approach this decision-making process?
- From your perspective, what could be some common challenges experts face when figuring out what to focus on in their respective fields?
- The text mentions the author’s Year of Many Errors. What role do you think failure plays in helping experts refine their focus or direction?
- What role does consistent practice or repetition play in an expert’s ability to determine their focus and master their field?