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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