Staying Focused In The Age Of Distraction

In this book a clinical psychologist and a social worker present a mindfulness and spirituality-based program readers can use to dramatically improve their quality of life by conquering distraction, avoiding overload, and focusing attention on the things they value most.

The world of work has changed but our ways of working haven’t kept pace. We are now working even harder, longer and at a faster pace than ever before. Longer hours and harder work aren’t going to give us the career and life that we want. Today’s work where you’re selling your brain power and creativity, then your focus, attention, mindset and engagement are what will make the difference. 35 practical and pragmatic tips based on latest research in positive psychology, neuroscience, and common sense, will help you be more focused, creative and productive. Be more focused while at work, get more done, learn to switch off, get on and enjoy your life.

How to concentrate in a world of beeping smartphones, channel surfing, live-tweeting, pop-up ads, and other distractions. We are in the midst of an attention crisis—caused in large part by our smartphones. There's a constant stream of information that we are powerless to withstand because it shows up in our notifications. More and more of us are finding it harder and harder to concentrate. In this book, attention expert and cognitive psychologist Stefan Van der Stigchel explains how concentration works and offers advice on how to stay focused in a world of beeping smartphones, channel surfing, live-tweeting, pop-up ads, and other distractions. The good news, Van der Stigchel reports, is that we now know more about brain and behavior than ever before, and he draws on the latest scientific findings in his account of concentration. He explains, among other things, that the battle for our attention began long before the digital era; why our phones are so addictive; the importance of working memory (responsible for executing complicated tasks) and how to increase its capacity; and why multitasking is bad for our concentration, but attention rituals help it. He describes the 2017 Oscars debacle (when the Best Picture presenter was given the wrong card) as a failure of multitasking; argues that daydreaming can be good for our concentration; and shows that the presence of a passenger in a car reduces the risk of an accident. He explains the positive effects of taking “tech breaks” (particularly in natural surroundings), meditation, and even daydreaming. We can win the battle for our attention, Van der Stigchel argues, if we have the knowledge and the tools to do it.

In today's high-speed culture, there's a prevailing sense that we are busier than ever before and that the pace of life is too rushed. Most of us can relate to the feeling of having too much to do and not enough time for the people and things we value most. We feel fragmented, overwhelmed by busyness and the tyranny of gadgets. Veteran pastor and teacher Arthur Boers offers a critical look at the isolating effects of modern life that have eroded the centralizing, focusing activities that people used to do together. He suggests ways to make our lives healthier and more rewarding by presenting specific individual and communal practices that help us focus on what really matters. These practices--such as shared meals, gardening, hospitality, walking, prayer, and reading aloud--bring our lives into focus and build community. The book includes questions for discernment and application and a foreword by Eugene H. Peterson.

Without focus, communication breaks down in all relationships and frustration increases. In the midst of our accelerated progress, our modern society has lost our way. We have a greater consciousness of new possibilities but we feel less connected in our relationships due to our loss of focus. Gray offers practical strategies for increasing focus, clarity, memory, motivation and sustaining positive moods. He explains what causes ADHD, and perhaps even dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Between the busy world and constantly beeping cell phone in your pocket, it may seem impossible to stay focused throughout the day.Although it certainly is a challenge to stay focused in this noisy and distracted world, it's not impossible.With the proper guidance and time management tips, you can learn helpful techniques for staying focused, even when the world around you is noisy.This informative guide will help you stay focused in the modern era. With the help of this guide, you can learn how to stay focused in this noisy, distracted, and digital world.Here are some things that you will learn in this guide: The psychology of staying focused;What science has to say about concentration and boosting focus;How to stay motivated;What is the Pareto Principle and how to use it;How to set goals that keep you on track;How to organize your workspace so that it helps you stay focused; How to stay focused in the digital age; How to minimize distractions from your phone and the internet;How to practice digital minimalism at work;How to take back your time;What is Parkinson's Law and how to use it;What is the Pomodoro Technique and how to use it;How to prioritize tasks;Single tasking versus multitasking;Why breaks are important throughout the day;How to take breaks in a way that leads to increased focus;What you should eat to remain energized and focused;How water intake impacts your concentration;And much more!Extras Include

A veteran pastor and teacher offers a critical look at the isolating effects of modern life, helping readers make their lives more focused and rewarding.

"In today's high-speed culture, there's a prevailing sense that we are busier than ever before and that the pace of life is too rushed. Most of us can relate to the feeling of having too much to do and not enough time for the people and things we value most. We feel fragmented, overwhelmed by busyness and the tyranny of gadgets. Veteran pastor and teacher Arthur Boers offers a critical look at the isolating effects of modern life that have eroded the centralizing, focusing activities that people used to do together. He suggests ways to make our lives healthier and more rewarding by presenting specific individual and communal practices that help us focus on what really matters. These practices--such as shared meals, gardening, hospitality, walking, prayer, and reading aloud--bring our lives into focus and build community. The book includes questions for discernment and application"--Publisher description.