Paying Attention On Purpose
In the work I’m doing with Potential Project, we often site this research study that shows us that 47% of the time our mind is aimlessly wandering.
Nearly half of the time you are not present with what you're doing.
And hell, given the bountiful distractions our phones now provide, that number might even seem low to you. I know many of my colleagues and clients have reported it’s nearly impossible to watch a show without scrolling on their cell at the same time.
Or that reading a book has gotten difficult given the draw of all the other distractions we have.
And because people watching was oh so entertaining in Greece, I even observed a man simultaneously have a book open on his lap, have a conversation with his wife, scroll through his phone with his thumb, and do some people watching of his own. Literally all AT THE SAME TIME. I was like dude, you aren’t even looking at your phone, your thumb is just on scrolling auto pilot!
Most of us can’t even relax and be present on vacation.
What’s the impact of a wandering mind? Of not paying attention to the task at hand? Of not being present in your life?
There are many impacts, but I bring it up here since clients come to me because there’s something they want to do in their life. A career transition, personal development, or how to be more productive in their busy corporate lives, to name a few reasons.
There is a direct correlation between your attention and your productivity.
A wandering mind is not only an unhappy mind, as the study above showed, but it’s also an unproductive mind.
When you end your day feeling like you did a lot of stuff but didn’t really get anything done, that leads to a sense that you don’t have control over your days and thus your life.
But when you can set an intention, set priorities, and get shit done that’s in alignment with who you want to be and what you want to do in the world, that changes everything.
So what can you do about your wandering mind?
Mindfulness in Action
Notice. Awareness is the first step. This week, check in with yourself throughout the day (which takes some mindfulness.
Was your mind actually present and focused on what you were doing?
When does it tend to wander?
After your own personal research, if you had to put the amount of time you were not present with the task at hand into a percentage, what would it be? Be honest...
What feelings arise when you have a priority or goal, but you get pulled by something else?
For example, you’re working on an important presentation, but a text pops up, or another email comes through. Do you feel a need to respond instantly? What if you don’t? Do you feel restless?
Pay attention on purpose: Let this be your mantra for the week. Focus on what you choose to focus on. Regain control of your day. See how that feels.
And if you’re looking for a way to accelerate your ability to focus, to pay attention on purpose, a mindfulness practice is a perfect tool to get you there. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this review of the top meditation apps and try one out.
Research shows that by being still and following our breath for just 10 minutes a day, we build new neural pathways that will allow us to have more focus and attention throughout the day.
What would it mean for you if you could complete one goal, one priority, before moving on to chase the dopamine hit acknowledging your distractions?
Try it on this week. See how paying attention on purpose can be your super power to getting shit done.
Let me know how it goes!
Cheers,
Elizabeth