#8 How to get your brain to focus?

A 2-week challenge that will help you harness your attention to focus deeper

I hope you and your family are doing okay. These are not easy times and the only way we can help ourselves and others is by staying indoors.

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I have the attention span of a fruit fly. I have always struggled with keeping my mind focused on one task. It keeps jumping from one topic to another unless the task requires hand-eye coordination.

If I had a penny for every time I get distracted, I’d be the richest person on the planet!

A study shows that the average human attention span is down from twelve seconds in the year 2000 to eight seconds now (source: Microsoft). That said, I know a majority of you probably won’t get to the end of this article and it is not your fault.

Let’s try to understand where the problem lies?

Let me explain with a relatable analogy (irony!) -

When you run multiple applications on your laptop, it starts to overheat. Now, when it overheats, would you open one more application or just hit ‘hibernate’?

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Our brains are always overstimulated. While being in the hyper-stimulated state, we can’t be productive or creative. We are anxious.

The novelty bias of our brains is not making it any easier for us - it basically, rewards us for seeking out and finding distractions (thanks but no thanks, brain!).

So, if you can’t go 5 minutes without checking your phone, you know who to blame.

How do we arrest this problem?

Click to download the image and save it as a reminder!

When our mind is at rest, it gets a chance to wander. Ideas come to us when we incubate things.

Ever wondered why the most brilliant, best ideas strike you when you are rarely focused? For instance, while taking showers.

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The solution!

We learned what the problem is and how it can be tackled.

Here’s the interesting part - these three simple activities will help your brain adjust downward into a newer, lower level of stimulation. Eventually, help you focus more effortlessly.

Click to download the image and save it as a reminder!

I’d love to know how it goes, share your experience here:

This two-week challenge is just to get you started. Feel free to modify the activities as you deem fit.

I have been practicing these activities for a while now and it has helped me in so many different ways. So much so that they are a part of my daily routine. The idea of starting this newsletter struck me when I was completely off social media for more than a month.

I would urge you to at least practice the disconnection routine starting today, not for productivity but for sanity. Because doom-scrolling and over-consumption of information will only make things worse.

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This issue is based on a TEDx Talk by Chris Bailey.

Bailey also talks about ‘Scatter focus’ - it is the mode when we deliberately let our mind wander. You can find more about it at 8:19.

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This was issue #8 of Holy Rabies!

Holy Rabies! is a visual newsletter on Art, Creativity and Productivity

If you are a new reader or someone who hasn’t subscribed to Holy Rabies! yet, hit the button below:

Linking last issues on Productivity:

Issue #5: Is Time Management your pain point too?

Issue #3: Wish to learn a new skill but can’t get yourself to start?

Art:

Issue #7: What’s the brouhaha about ‘Mona Lisa’?

Issue #6: NFT and The Rise of Digital art

Explore more of Holy Rabies! and see what excites you.

The next issue, issue #9 will release on 27 May 2021.

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Don’t worry if you are still unable to focus and get your work done. Cut yourself some slack!

I have also been more anxious lately and panicky about not being able to work efficiently.

A few days ago, one of my friends reminded me of something. Quoting that wise lady, “You’re trying to work in a global epidemic and you’re keeping yourself afloat. Don’t you think that’s some kind of achievement at least?”

She is right. It is our achievement!

Sending love and strength via this email.

Be safe!

Monica