Improving focus seems to be a major theme around here. A few months ago, I lost my AirPod case and thought it was the end of the world. I’m the kind of guy who loves filling every possible second with interesting information. My AirPods gave me a way to always learn with audiobooks or YouTube videos playing in my ear. When I couldn’t find the case, I immediately started looking for a replacement so that I could charge my Airpods.
And then, for some reason, I didn’t order the case. My Airpods have sat in a bowl on my desk for three months now, completely unused. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- By not having information constantly pumped into my brain, I can mentally rest so that when I am doing important work, I have a full battery in my brain.
- I’ve learned to embrace boredom. Allowing myself to be bored is a valuable skill. It lets the self-conscious take charge which is when the real mental magic happens. Need proof? Do you ever get great ideas in the shower? I know I do.
- Because I’m not constantly consuming information, I’m doing less multi-tasking. I’ve become more present with each task. As Michel de Montaigne would say, “I dance when I dance; I sleep when I sleep.” Although, I’m not much of a dancer.
- Without my AirPods at the gym, I’ve been forced to talk to my gym buddy and now we’re better friends. Imagine that!
All I’m saying is that my identity is tied up in being a lifelong learner. I’ve used that identity as an excuse to flood my mental space with more information than it can handle. It feels good to have my brain back. I think I’ll leave the AirPods in the bowl.
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
Thanks for posting this. I too catch myself bombarding my brain with additional information, even when doing so proves deleterious. Between work meets and reading books, I tend to fill in the crevices with audiobooks and podcasts. It gets to be too much. It becomes more about numbers (such as reading goals in Goodreads) than about actually reading well.
I actually purposely left my Airpods at home last week to go for a walk simply so I could let my mind relax. It was the best decision I made that whole day!
Yes! Great work. It’s strange, but we’re wired to always improve and that can be harmful. We need to give our brains time to process information.