Investor and entrepreneur Codie Sanchez shared a mental clarity principle that she says dramatically improved her focus: eliminating mental leakage by being fully present in whatever task is at hand.

“I heard a phrase that 10x’d my focus,” said Codie Sanchez in a post on X. “‘Don’t have a leaky mind.’ If you’re working, work. If you’re dancing, dance. But don’t compulsively think of one thing while doing another.”

Sanchez’s insight speaks to the high cost of divided attention, especially in a world driven by constant notifications, multitasking, and context switching. The term “leaky mind” captures the tendency to mentally drift—splitting focus between tasks, thoughts, or worries—rather than giving full energy to a single experience.

Research in cognitive neuroscience has shown that such cognitive leakage reduces task performance and increases stress. By contrast, deliberate focus and presence can enhance productivity, creativity, and emotional satisfaction.

Codie Sanchez is the founder of Contrarian Thinking and a leading advocate of entrepreneurial freedom and focus. Her work encourages ownership of time, mind, and capital through disciplined thinking and strategic investment.