Counterintuitive ways to focus
When staring at your computer alone isn't working
And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, "This is important! And this is important! And this is important! And you need to worry about this! And this! And this! And each day, it's up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, "No. This is what's important." — Iain Thomas
Dear lovely human,
If you’ve been subscribed a while, heeey! I have new digs, same intentions, and named this baby. If you joined recently, welcome to my newsletter Quiet Confetti.
Here’s a reminder we all need: At this moment, we have more findable information and finding-stuff methods than ever. Our brains have only had this access for a nanoblip of all time. We weren’t taught how best to take it in and make a fulfilling life.
That, we’re discovering together. You didn’t necessarily sign up for the wild, wild Digital Age and the stunning pace at which it’s unfurling, so I think you’re doing pretty great. But how do you focus better amidst so much noise?
Today, my love letter to you is about:
a counterintuitive key to better focus
the tool I reach for when I’m at peak procrastination
a wink at next week’s essay: How to make time for passion projects
💡 Idea of the Week: “focused mode” & “diffuse mode”
If I had to name what we worship as a culture, productivity feels like a decent guess. Ah, so easy to tie it to our self-worth. We can feel bad for spacing out, daydreaming, or our mind wandering instead of being focused.
The short PDF linked above was written for youth (read: easy to digest). Oakley (a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan) summarizes some key neuroscience — namely that we have a “focused mode” and “diffuse mode”.
One of Oakley’s key points:
It turns out that your brain has to go back and forth between focused and diffuse modes in order to learn effectively.
Surprise! Sometimes we need to lose concentration so we can think more clearly.
Our minds wandering is a necessary part of learning! So, daydreaming is not only okay but… essential? This has helped me:
stop pitting focused and diffuse modes against each other: they’re a team
realize wow, my picture of what “working” is (at a desk, light on, concentrating on absorbing material, producing something) limits me
remember that creativity has 3 phases (and first phase relates to diffuse mode)
🛠 Tool of the Week: Focusmate
First off, I have no affiliate marketing nor other relationship with Focusmate. I just use it and really like it. Because it’s impressively effective.
How it works
You get 3 free sessions per week (choose from 25 min, 50 min, 75 min)
Pick a time that works for you. Focusmate pairs you with a buddy.
Be on time, briefly say hi and state the specific task you’re going to focus on.
Optional: Give status updates in the chat.
At end of session, share how you each did.
Why it works
Behavioral psychology: Most of us will not leave a stranger hanging, especially one who needs support accomplishing something (this is everyone on Focusmate)
Specificity: Thinking through “What is the Most Important Thing I need to do?” and completing that supercharges your experience of Focusmate. 10/10 recommend.
It’s in the name: The name “Focusmate” is enough to get me back on track if/when I get off-topic. Feels uncomfortable not to focus there…
You can do anything: meaningful creative projects, important but boring stuff. Things I’ve done on Focusmate:
Practice the bass
Taxes
Housework (wash dishes, laundry)
Digital housekeeping
Get to Inbox Zero
Call my parents
Strength training exercises
Open and act on snail mail
Finally call customer service about *passes out, snoring*
What’s your favorite productivity/focus tool? Pretty sure like, 47389 apps launched in the time it took you to read this far. Leave us a tip!
To both daydreams and get-shit-done days,
Kat
Thank you Leila Simon Hayes for introducing me to Focusmate, and
for pointing me toward Dr. ’s work.The credited images in
were made by humans who got paid for their work.