An Epidemic of Distraction?
- Cecile Jenkins
- May 15
- 2 min read
In yesterday's 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 session, we explored something many of us struggle with: the tension between wanting to help and needing to protect our own time and energy. How can we maintain deep focus and full attention when we’re constantly interrupted?
We reflected on research and ideas from 𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬 by Cal Newport, the well-known idea (and perhaps 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭) of 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸 by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and the cost of 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘦, as explained by scientist and researcher Sophie Leroy.
Then we asked: What would we like to change about our current attention habits?
It’s surprisingly easy to be constantly available for disruption: replying to the quick message, saying ‘yes’ to the extra task, your door (literally or metaphorically) always open.
Personally, I’ve learned to 'put my phone to bed' at 9pm. Most of my notifications are off and I give myself a chance to disconnect overnight, most - but not all - nights, as I like to allow some healthy flexibility. So, I sometimes break my own rule, and then I check in with myself: Was that helpful? If not, I take action again.
This isn’t about putting in place difficult and rigid rules. It’s about making conscious, intentional choices, asking what truly serves 𝘮𝘦 best. That might sound selfish perhaps, but I’ve found that when I take care of myself in this way, others benefit too: I can show up as my best self to them, more often. Think happy, smiley, attentive and present, instead of grumpy, tired, overwhelmed and short.
hat would it take for you to enter your full flow more often?
And what habits are already helping you to show up as your best self?
If you’re a busy person who could use a moment to breathe, think, and reset, come join us. 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 is a thinking space, not a webinar, designed for busy people - parents, carers, leaders - who need a pause that actually leads somewhere.
It’s free to attend. Simply register at: www.workinglife.co.uk/new-perspectives
Comments