How to increase your attention span

March 3, 2024

March 03, 2024

Welcome to The Productivity Blueprint newsletter 🗞️

We hope everyone was able to slow down after last weeks read. If you missed it, you can learn more about our ‘culture of busyness’ more here 🙂 

Today, we’re looking at our attention spans, and some neuroscience backed strategies to increasing it 🧠

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four-hour days”

- Zig Ziglar

This article delves into the challenges of maintaining attention in the digital age, where attention spans are notably declining. It presents six neuroscience-backed strategies to enhance focus and manage attention effectively. Let’s take a look at them:

  1. Understand the Limits of Focus: Recognize that continuous focus is unnatural. Prioritize sleep and take regular breaks to manage attention resources.

  2. Moods Matter: Align your goals with desired emotional states. Positive emotions aid recovery from focus stress, while negative emotions have the opposite effect.

  3. Rote Activities as Recharge: Engage in simple, enjoyable activities for breaks. Use these as rewards to motivate and soothe your mind.

  4. Avoid Multitasking: Multitasking is a productivity myth. Focus on one task at a time to reduce stress and increase efficiency.

  5. Manage Interruptions: Control external and self-interruptions. Set boundaries and use tools like internet blocking software to maintain focus.

  6. Find Your Rhythm: Tailor your schedule to your personal rhythms. Identify when you're most productive and plan tasks accordingly.

TL/DR: Enhancing attention span in today's fast-paced world requires a balanced approach of disciplined focus, mindful breaks, and emotional management. By understanding and applying theseprinciples, you can improve both productivity and overall well-being.

This app leverages sleep science to help you optimize your sleep schedule, enhancing your focus and productivity. By understanding your sleep needs, Rise can aid in managing your attention resources more effectively.

What we love: Set reminders on your phone to track your energy levels throughout your day! They also have a great widget.

This app offers a vast library of free guided meditations and music tracks specifically designed for relaxation, stress reduction, and improved focus.

What we love: Filter their meditations to find one that meets your needs! Whether that be productivity, confidence or anxiety.

💡 Challenge of the week

This week, challenge yourself to single-task. Pick a task, set a timer for focused work, and then take a complete break. Notice how this affects your productivity and stress levels.

Looking forward to hearing how these new strategies and tools impact your attention span and ability to focus this week 🙌

Until then,

The Productivity Blueprint Team