Focusing on the task at hand can feel overwhelming in a world of constant distraction and interruption. I think there is an inclination to blame modern distractions like phones, email, streaming, marketing, advertising, and every other external factor for our inability to stay on task or in the moment. What I’m about to say might be unpopular.
The common factor to all of our distractions is ourselves.
Being distracted by the world around us is not a new phenomenon. The ancient philosophers worried about it and wrote about it. Evolutionary biology and evolutionary psychology help us understand why we are so distractible. The simple fact is that our distractibility may be the result of our individual capability and capacity to resist distraction.
So how do we develop and expand this capability and capacity to resist distraction?
Do hard things.
Regular cardio exercise.
Lift heavy weights.
Train in a martial art or combat sport.
Practice meditation.
Practice yoga.
Cold exposure.
Sauna.
Read non-fiction.
Write with a pen or pencil in a journal or notebook.
These are just my favorite ways. I’m sure there are more and I would love to hear about them.
