Feb 19 2008
Improving Your Attention Span
I have what I like to call “Selective Short Attention Span.” When I’m doing something that I consider entertainment, like watching a movie or reading a good book, I can focus for hours. When I’m doing other things (i.e., work, paying bills, writing), I’m as distractable as a 3-year old in Toys R Us. (Example: I’ve already stopped to check both my work and personal email accounts while writing the FIRST PARAGRAPH of this post.)
Part of this is a self-discipline issue, I’m sure, but I believe that part of it is due to the increasingly frantic, disjointed nature of working and playing online. I carry a work Blackberry with me at all times. If I get an email, I immediately stop what I’m doing and check it. Same with the cell phone. If I’m reading an article online, and there’s a link mid-paragraph to another article, it’s not at all unusual for me to spend 40 minutes following links to read seven articles when I meant to spend five minutes reading one. Madness!
I’ve been doing some research (online, natch) to try and understand this problem and develop strategies for improving it. I’ve listed below some of the tactics I plan to try:
- Exercise: Studies have shown that aerobic exercise elevates chemicals that ADD brains are short on.
- Practice deep breathing: I found a ton of material that recommended deep breathing as a way to maintain focus. I know that I tend to take tight, shallow breaths, so I figure that–even if it doesn’t help the old attention span–it certainly can’t hurt me.
- Improve memory and observation skills: I don’t know about you, but my short-term memory is SHOT. I tell people the same stories over and over again, and I couldn’t tell you what I had for lunch today. A few sources recommended memory exercises (like studying a picture for a few minutes, then trying to list all the items in the picture). This will improve memory and observation skills, which will in turn improve focus and attention span. Makes sense to me.
- Cut down on TV and Internet time: Numerous studies have highlighted the link between increased TV/Internet time and decreased attention span in children. I think it stands to reason that it could have a similar effect on adults.
- Meditate: For some reason, meditation is something I’ve always avoided. It always seemed like such a waste of time to just sit and do nothing–not even think. But I think it could make a huge difference in my life. (This will be my next 21-day makeover.)
I’m hoping that implementing some of these strategies will improve my attention span and increase my productivity both at work and in my writing. If you have any ideas or tips, I’d love to hear them!
Oh, and I successfully completed Days 12 and 13 of my 21-day makeover–almost to the two-week mark!
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I’m the same way. I have a little bubble that pops up whenever I get an email and I have to stop what I’m doing, read and respond. It drives JimmyEW crazy!
But I did write creatively last night- I had to set a deadline-8:30 was when I had to start, then I had to focus. My goal was 30 minutes but I did it for an hour and was really happy I did it.
btw, I found another blogger interested in putting up their creative writing but is chicken like me. Perhaps we can get a few people and set up aliases for all of us so no one knows who we are (including us) and we can start positing our fiction.
ANy thoughts? Maybe we can start a progressive story.
My short term memory has taken a walk too. My husband found the sugar in the refrigerator a couple of days ago. Scary.
Great blog!
JJ
You forgot sleep! Sleep deprivation is horrible for the……what was I saying?
Seriously, DH and I have a really tough time getting enough sleep. It’s bad enough that we are night owls rather than morning people, yet have to be up and out of bed by 6:15 (which never happens, usually 6:30 with some swearing), but we also have second jobs that force us to go on 2-4 hours of sleep a couple times each week.
Getting enough sleep is huge for your short term memory. Weeks we go without sleep, we can’t remember Wednesday by Friday.
All of these are great tips. Sometimes one of the best things we can do is to slow down and pay attention.
Our brains tend to place more emphasis on things that we treat with importance. If we don’t pay attention to information our brain will decide that it isn’t important.