Focus - Leo Babauta [3]
Interesting: the simple act of giving up email was either hugely courageous, or arrogant, because I wasn't living up to the expectation of society that I'd be available via email and at least make the attempt to reply. Interesting, because just a decade earlier, many people didn't use email and no one cared if they didn't.
And email is just one facet of these expectations. How high these expectations are depends on your job, who you are, where you work, and the standards that have evolved in the group you work with. But some people are expected to be available all the time, carrying a Blackberry or other device with them, and to respond almost immediately -- or they're out of touch, or not good businesspeople. Others are expected to be available for instant messaging or Skype chats, or be on social forums or social networks such as Facebook or Twitter. Others need to follow the news of their industry closely, and constantly read updates of news sites.
Being connected all the time, being part of this constant stream of distraction, is an expectation that society now has of us. And going against that expectation is immensely difficult for many people -- it requires courage, or a willingness to be an arrogant prima donna.
How did this happen? When did we opt-in to be a part of this? There was never a time when we agreed to these expectations, but they've evolved rapidly over the last decade or so, and now it's hard to get out.
I'm not saying we should get out. I'm saying we need to rethink things, to change expectations so that the system suits us, not the other way around.
a simple question
Here's a little exercise that might prove useful: as you read this chapter, how many times were you distracted or tempted to switch to another task?
How many times did you think of something you wanted to do, or check your email or other favorite distractions? How many times did you want to switch, but resisted? How many different things made a noise or visual distraction while you were reading? How many people tried to get your attention?
In an ideal world, the answers to all those questions would be "zero" -- you'd be able to read with no distractions, and completely focus on your task. Most of us, however, have distractions coming from all sides, and the answers to this little exercise will probably prove illuminating.
3: the importance of finding focus
"Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you'll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, 'Is this necessary?'"
– Marcus Aurelius
If you're someone who creates, in any way, focus should be important to you.
And this includes a much larger group than the traditional "creative types" -- artists, writers, photographers, designers, musicians and the like. No, people who create are a much larger group than that, though creative types are included. Those who create include:
those who invent and create products or services
teachers who create lessons and activities and content for students
professors who write syllabi and lectures
anyone who writes research papers
stay-at-home parents who create activities for their kids
executives who create plans, presentations, visions, proposals
ad execs who create ad campaigns
bloggers
people who make websites of any kind
anyone who writes reports
someone who crafts physical products like clothing, cars, etc.
kids who have to do homework
and many other