I think every single person perceives things differently. We are all singular.
The concentration of the elite athlete is akin perhaps to the concentration of the writer.
The great thing about being a writer is that you have a long, perhaps frighteningly long time in which to do your work.
I do believe we're all adaptable, and you're probably more adaptable than you realize.
I don't think good films have messages.
I think striking the right tone for your story is, if you like, the alchemical work of writing.