“Enhance your brain's ability to concentrate”

A few years ago, I began to notice a trend in my behavior that made me uncomfortable. From the moment I woke up to the end of the day, my life revolved around screens. I would start my day with my phone, scrolling through Instagram and various apps while still in bed. Then, as I cooked breakfast, I would have my iPad next to the stove. When it was time to work, I would move to my computer, which was connected to even more screens. Throughout the day, my smartwatch would constantly distract me with notifications. But out of all these devices, my phone was the biggest culprit. I could easily spend hours on it every day. So, I decided to challenge myself and essentially get rid of my phone for a month, limiting my usage to only 30 minutes a day. This experiment led me to discover three profound changes in my life. First, my attention span improved. I was able to focus more easily and effortlessly. Second, I had more ideas and my mind was more active, especially when it wandered. And third, I had more plans and thoughts about the future.

This realization led me on a journey to understand the impact of technology on our ability to focus. I delved into research and consulted with experts, conducting experiments on myself until I had amassed 25,000 words of notes. I found that technology doesn't necessarily distract us, but rather our brains are constantly seeking stimulation. We have become addicted to the quick hits of dopamine we get from checking social media and emails, and our brains reward us for this behavior. This overstimulation leads to a hyperactive and easily distracted mind.

To combat this, I decided to purposely make myself bored for an hour a day for a month. I did various mundane tasks like reading the iTunes terms and conditions, waiting on hold, and even watching a clock for an hour. Surprisingly, this also led to the same three effects as my smartphone experiment. My mind became less stimulated, my attention span improved, and I had more ideas and plans.

After diving deep into this topic, I have come to two conclusions. First, we don't need to hustle and fit more into our lives. We are already doing enough, if not too much. We need to create more space for our minds to wander and come up with ideas. And second, distraction is not the enemy of focus, but rather a symptom of overstimulation. To combat this, I challenge you to make your mind less stimulated for two weeks and observe the changes in your attention and creativity. Try disconnecting from technology in the evenings or having a technology-free day once a week. Rediscover boredom and allow your mind to scatter and wander, as this is where some of our best ideas originate.

In conclusion, the constant presence of screens and technology can lead to a sense of unease. A study was carried out in which individuals limited their phone usage to only 30 minutes per day, resulting in a noticeable increase in attention span and generation of new ideas and plans. Acknowledging the benefits of boredom, I urge you to disconnect from technology and allow your minds to wander. I also propose the implementation of daily and weekly disconnection rituals to alleviate overstimulation and enhance focus and overall well-being. It is a fact that the quality of our attention directly affects the quality of our lives. Therefore, I implore you to consciously reduce distractions and embrace a more fulfilling lifestyle. I respectfully urge you to consider giving this a try, as it is guaranteed to yield positive results. Thank you.