Focused Attention

I have been noticing something lately in my own behavior, and perhaps you find yourself having a similar struggle. I so rarely pay attention to just one thing at a time anymore, largely thanks to the ubiquity of smart phones and similar internet-connected devices. While paying attention to more than one thing at a time can feel like productivity, I believe that the quality of the experience, whether it involves work or play or interacting with people, can be enhanced by taking the time to be deliberate and do just one thing. Let’s try it and see! This challenge offers a chance to cultivate mindfulness in daily activities, building mental and emotional resilience and strengthening our social bonds.

Habit:
Put away your phone for 30 minutes

Daily:
Pay focused attention to a conversation
Pay focused attention to a task

To Do:
Pay attention to how it feels to be present with just one activity
Notice where you benefit the most from cultivating focused attention

Reflection:
This challenge was deeply helpful to me in a variety of ways. I noticed how difficult it was for me to concentrate, even on leisure activities like reading or watching TV, without constantly interrupting myself to look at social media. That’s not the mindfulness I want to welcome into my life! I also noticed how much more smoothly things go in my parenting when I make a point of putting my phone away for stretches of focused time. I started a new routine of doing this from 7:30 to 8:20 in the morning before school, and from 3:30 until 5 after, and I think it has been a solid benefit to both me and my kiddo.

Reactions from my guildmembers led me to believe that they got a lot out of this challenge, too! Sometimes mindfulness isn’t about clearing one’s mind, but about focusing… on just one thing.