Controlling Your Attention: The Most Important Skill of the 21st Century and How to Do It
Controlling Your Attention: The Most Important Skill of the 21st Century and How to Do It
Written By Joshua Becker ·
“In this information-rich, time-poor society, attention has become our most important resource.” —Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Bruce Lee is credited with once saying, “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
I tend to think he is right and maybe now more than ever. Especially as our attention spans, all around the world, shrink.
In a world where distractions abound, both big and small, the greatest skill we can personally hone is the control of our attention. In fact, the ability to keep focus amid ever-increasing distractions may just be the greatest determining factor of success in the 21st Century.
Our attention is the driving force that shapes our lives. It is what creates wisdom from our past experiences and helps us make the most out of the skills we’ve developed, the education we’ve experienced, and the talents we’ve accumulated.
It is our attention that puts these assets to work, allowing us to make the most of our potential.
Only with focused attention do we make the most out of these strengths. Ultimately, it’s where we direct our attention that shapes the direction of our path and how effectively we reach our goals and what we accomplish with the one life that we have to live.
This is why controlling your attention is so important.
Here’s How to Do It:
1. Simplify Your Environment.
Simplicity is the stepping stone to clarity. A cluttered environment, whether physical or digital, results in a cluttered mind.
By minimizing the unnecessary, we remove visual noise and make room for focused attention.
This doesn’t just mean owning fewer possessions, but also decluttering our online spaces.
2. Practice Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the art of being fully present. It’s a skill that trains your brain to focus on the here and now, preventing it from being hijacked by past regrets or future anxieties.
Simple mindfulness exercises can be a great starting point. So can religious rituals like prayer, meditation, and spiritual reading.
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