By Judy Okolo
What if your greatest business competitor isn’t another company but your own distracted brain?
In boardrooms across Nigeria, millions of naira are invested in strategy, technology and talent acquisition. Yet one asset often receives remarkably little attention: the executive brain itself.
Every proposal you approve, every negotiation you lead and every opportunity you recognise depends on one thing your ability to think clearly.
Focus is not merely a skill. It is biological capital.
Many professionals blame poor concentration on demanding schedules, endless emails or information overload.
While these contribute, they often overlook a more fundamental truth: the brain is one of the most metabolically active organs in the body. Although it accounts for only about two per cent of body weight, it consumes roughly twenty per cent of the body’s energy. Feed it poorly, and even the brightest mind begins to underperform.
The irony is striking. We readily fuel our cars with premium petrol but frequently fuel our brains with whatever is quickest between meetings.
That meat pie and sugary drink grabbed during traffic may satisfy hunger, but they often produce rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, leaving you mentally sluggish by mid-day. Likewise, skipping breakfast may save time but can cost you sustained attention during your most important meetings.
Your brain prefers steady nourishment.
Traditional Nigerian meals, when thoughtfully balanced, can provide exactly that. Boiled yam with egg sauce and vegetables offers sustained energy and protein. Moi-moi with pap or oats provides protein alongside slower-digesting carbohydrates.Beans
Beans with plantain delivers fibre, minerals and lasting satiety. Vegetable soup and a modest portion of amala, fufu or pounded yam supplies protein and essential micronutrients that support brain function. Snacks such as roasted groundnuts, tiger nuts, garden eggs, oranges or bananas help sustain energy without the dramatic sugar crashes associated with highly processed foods. Remember, moderation is the golden rule.
Food alone, however, cannot compensate for poor habits.
The brain thrives on rhythm. Irregular sleep, constant multitasking and uninterrupted screen time steadily erode concentration. Ironically, many professionals pride themselves on being constantly busy while unknowingly training their brains to become constantly distracted.
Protecting your focus requires deliberate choices.
Start your day with a protein-rich breakfast rather than relying solely on caffeine. Drink water consistently throughout the day, as even mild dehydration can impair concentration. Schedule your most mentally demanding work during the hours when you are naturally most alert. Every 90 minutes, stand, stretch or take a five-minute walk to reset your attention. Finally, create “notification-free” periods where your brain can work deeply without digital interruptions.
In today’s economy, knowledge is valuable.
But the ability to sustain clear, focused thinking is priceless.
Feed your brain like your career depends on itbecause, in many ways, it does.
Until next time, lets glow intentionally.
Judy Okolo is a Pharmacist and a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach