Ep 16 Stolen Focus

*Adult language warning*

Discover how to reclaim your focus whilst listening to this inspiring episode with international author Johann Hari as he breaks down the issues surrounding attention spans today. Johann shares inspirational insights into the real problems causing our declining attention and what we can do as individuals and as a collective to take back our focus for better wellbeing.

So what’s this episode really about?

  • A deep dive into the different types of attention and why each type is vital for greater functioning.
  • The detrimental effects of multitasking and distractions and why you may be less productive than you realise.
  • Understanding the factors that boost or hinder our attention and ways to reclaim our focus.

Why you should listen

Do you often feel distracted and absentminded? Meg and Johann’s discussion will highlight for you broader issues within society and how you’re not to blame for problems with waning attention and focus. You’ll learn about the social media business model used to actively steal our attention and what role notifications and multitasking could be playing on your attention span. The good news is you’re not alone, and Meg and Johann highlight what you can do to refocus your ideas and goals for a better future.

Helpful Strategies

  • Change needs to be made collectively (government, companies, schools) and as individuals.
  • Actively remove notifications from your devices to reduce distractions.
  • Limit multitasking (also known as task-switching) as it limits your brain’s ability to refocus on individual tasks.

You can quote us on that…

“There’s scientific evidence for twelve factors that boost or hinder attention, and a lot of those factors have been really significantly deteriorating.”

Johann Hari

“A species of people who’ve lost their superpower (their ability to focus and pay attention) will not be able to formulate individual goals or collective goals. We won’t be able to think in sane and rational ways.”

Johann Hari

“We own our minds, and we’ve got to take them back.”

Johann Hari

Connect

Johann Hari – Website | Instagram | Stolen Focus | Lost Connections

Meg Durham – Instagram | LinkedIn | Energy By Design | Bookings

Want to learn more?

The learning doesn’t have to stop here. Get your free dose of wellbeing education in your inbox with Meg’s Thought Of The Week. Click here to subscribe.

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Hi, I'm Meg!

B.Phys Ed, M. Ed (Student Wellbeing), CIPP

I’m a teacher with experience working in primary and secondary schools across Australia, and a specialist in the field of wellbeing education and coaching. I founded Open Mind Education in 2013 with a vision of sharing practical, enriching wellbeing education with staff, parents, and broader school communities.

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