Our Lack Of Focus Is Killing Us

Let’s be blunt. Our lack of attention is costing us big time in how effectively we get through our day, and how we feel as a result. Pay attention to this because it matters. Why?

• Our attention span is shrinking faster than the new cashmere sweater we forgot to hand wash
• Our lack of attention is affecting our general health and wellbeing
• Lack of focus is making us miserable

So how did this happen?

We didn’t deliberately choose to zone out, and we certainly know how to focus when it comes to laser-locking in on that one essential item. But the trouble is that we live in a generation of digital disruption, perpetually surrounded by constant interruptions that disrupt our attention.

What’s so great about attention anyway?

Safety first

Our brain isn’t silly. It has a highly complex system comprising of three neural networks, which allows us to be alert, aware, and also fragments our attention and focus. Survival of the fittest was important to cavemen and things haven’t changed.

Learn

Without attention we don’t learn. Why? Because we are not providing our brains with a reason to encode information and store it in our memory. How often have you forgotten items, appointments, phone calls or misplaced car keys?

It’s not that we forgot. We simply never remembered in the first place, because we weren’t paying attention.

Focus

Despite our brain constantly grumbling about our attention span being small, cramped and with limited parking, it remains eminently trainable.
Regaining attentional muscle can be readily achieved by training your brain to focus.

Reclaim your brain

It might seem strange, but one of the reasons why we don’t pay attention is overuse of focus. Being so busy, it’s tempting to get up, switch our brain on to full power and expect to drive on full focus all day because that’s what we think is the best way to operate.

But our brain is not a marathon runner, it’s a sprinter.

Like interval training, our mind works really well by following our natural Ultradian rhythm, which has peaks and troughs of energy lasting 90 minutes.

This allows us to get our work done to a higher level, in a shorter period of time, with time and energy left to spare.

So try organising your day into bite size 60-90 minutes of focus.

It’s not a Kit-Kat, but it might just work

It doesn’t have to be chocolate covered, but taking regular 10-minute brain breaks during the day gives our brain the time it needs to consolidate ideas, to think more creatively and to reboot for better top-tier focus.

Choosing not to fill every nook and cranny of brain space with Facebook updates, tweets and news feeds provides our brain breathing space for greater efficiency and productivity.

Devise your distraction management plan

It is not a hard task to identify those attention-sucking interruptions that drive us crazy. What we underestimate is the power and influence of the biggest distraction there is: You. Me. Us. We happily distract ourselves over 47% of our waking time, yet are highly intolerant of others whom we consider time-wasters, like people taking too long at the supermarket checkout or filling their car at the petrol station.

There are now a wide variety of distraction management tools and apps available, including the well-known Pomodoro technique. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.

Be still

Just stop. Be quiet and still, with a mindful period in your day.

Whether meditation, yoga, tai chi, or simply sitting under a tree and reflecting, this time will soon put a Zen in your step.

Attracting our attention is easy. Keeping it? Getting there.

By Dr. Jenny Brockis
Published with permission from the International Institute of Directors and Managers (IIDM) – www.iidmglobal.com

Proteus Leadership is one of Australia’s premier leadership training and development companies. Proteus Leadership provides leadership courses and management training to a range of industries and assists organisations to build positive workplace cultures, implement change and Create Great Leaders. Proteus also facilitates a range of world-class management courses, workshops, conferences and events across Australia and beyond with the sole purpose of bringing leaders together to connect and grow.

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