6 Reasons Why Your Attention Span Sucks (TWIL #5)
(And How to Fix It)
Ever find yourself starting a task, only to get distracted by a shiny new notification, a buzzing phone, or a sudden urge to rearrange your sock drawer (maybe the entire wardrobe)?
Feeling attacked yet? You're not alone.
In today's fast-paced world, our attention spans seem to dwindle faster than a bag of potato chips at a house party.
But fear not, for in this week’s edition, we're diving deep into the murky waters of some of your ‘attention span woes’.
So grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and settle in as I unravel the mysteries of why your attention span sucks – and more importantly, some real small actionable steps on how to fix it.
1. The Digital Devastation:
Let's face it – we live in the age of information overload.
With smartphones buzzing, emails pinging, and social media notifications clamoring for our attention, it's no wonder our focus feels like it's doing the cha-cha.
The constant barrage of digital distractions makes it harder than ever to stay on task and maintain our concentration.
I sometimes even felt hopeless being at the mercy of my devices 24/7.
So, here are a few things I tried applying, you can try them out.
Using the Greyscale Mode: This feature takes out the colors on your phone and the entire interface turns black and white—and makes it a little less stimulating. It is pretty easy to do, you are one Google search away on how to do this—for Android and iOS. It will drastically change your life, trust me.
Using App Timers: Go to the digital well-being section of your phone and check your screen times. Get a little depressed by looking at that. Now, get to the individual apps that you spent the most time on, and put up a realistic app-timer on it. You will use those apps a little more mindfully.
Turning off all Notifications: Only keep the important ones on—so you don’t keep checking your phone for the smallest Uber notification—that doesn’t even help you unless you’re in the cab.
2. The Multitasking Myth:
Ah, multitasking—the supposed holy grail of productivity.
But here's the harsh truth: multitasking is a myth.
Our brains simply aren't wired to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, and attempting to do so only leads to decreased efficiency and increased stress.
So while you may think you're getting more done, you're just spreading yourself thin and sabotaging your attention span in the process.
Recognize those instances when you are doing multiple tasks at the same time, and be mindful of them.
Make it a habit that you engage in one task at a time.
3. The Dopamine Dilemma:
Ever heard of a hormone called Dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in pleasure, motivation, and learning.
The Dopamine Dilemma is something I think of as a dilemma between two tasks—one is instantly satisfying, while the other is to delay the satisfaction.
The problem is that we are constantly trying to finish tasks with a lot of things going on around us. Be it notifications on your phone, doom-scrolling, swiping left-right on dating apps, anything.
It's like trying to concentrate on a book while a fireworks display is happening right outside your window – not exactly conducive to deep focus.
To be able to sustain your attention, you must make efforts in the direction of getting rid of something called Instant Gratification.
The easier it is for a task to release dopamine, the more we end up craving it.
Smoking cigarettes, opening Instagram notifications, Binge-watching, Binge-drinking, everything gives an instant dopamine hit.
Your goal is to inculcate habits that release dopamine gradually; with some effort attached to it.
Achieving a goal, completing a task, or succeeding at something you have worked on for a long time are some examples of Delayed Gratification.
4. The Perils of Perfectionism:
Have you ever procrastinated on a task only because you wanted it to be perfect and ended up not showing up at all?
Yep, we've all been there.
But here's the thing: perfectionism is a literal enemy of progress.
By obsessing over every little detail, we not only waste precious time but also sabotage our ability to stay focused and get things done.
I have started living with the mantra of ‘Done is Better than Perfect’. It has drastically changed my approach to completing tasks and being productive.
Embrace imperfection, try and let go, and watch how your attention span flourishes—because you no longer have this need to produce masterpieces every time you work on something.
5. The Seduction of Shortcuts:
In our quest for instant gratification, we often turn to quick fixes and shortcuts to get things done faster.
But here's the catch: shortcuts may save time in the short term, but they ultimately erode our ability to focus and sustain attention over the long term.
With generative AI taking up all your mental space, it is very easy to get very dependent on these shortcuts for everything.
So instead of reaching for the easy solution, embrace the power of deliberate practice and gradual improvement.
Your attention span will thank you for it—and will result in you being you—not some bot that is overdependent on shortcuts.
6. Overwhelm and Overload:
In today's hyper-connected world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and overloaded with information.
From endless to-do lists to never-ending streams of notifications, the sheer volume of stimuli can leave our brains feeling like mush.
But fear not, for by setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness, and taking regular breaks, we can combat overwhelm and reclaim our attention span.
I know it is easier said than done, but quitting the regular habit of staying overwhelmed will make your attention span better.
If you’ve read till here, congratulations! You have a decent attention span!
Now that we've uncovered six reasons why your attention span sucks, it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on fixing it.
Stay tuned by subscribing to the newsletter for more tips on how you can work on this because I will share my journey of what worked for me and how I overcame my failures.
Until then, stay curious, stay focused, and keep striving for greatness!
Lots of love,
Abhishek.