Lesson:Welcome back to ‘The Focused Reader.’Today, let’s explore a concept Daniel Goleman introduced: that a wealth of information leads to a poverty of attention. In our world boiling with data and distractions, it’s normal to find focusing difficult. You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed or easily distracted.This is a common challenge for all ofContinue reading Day 2 – Attention Poverty and Three Books
Luckily my mind did not wander yesterday. I am nearing the end of a book and enjoying it– though I do not want it to end.
I wondered in the first minute or so but reminded myself that the timer will be my permission to wonder.
My three books are great. So far I am sticking with The Rewire Retirement Method as I am less than three months from retiring!
My mind didn’t wander much at all yesterday. There was the occasional moment in which I went back and re-read a line or paragraph because my focus wasn’t 100%, but those were few and far between.
I have three books I really like, but for now I’m going to stick with Lucretius’s “On The Nature of Things.” My intention is to take a deeper dive into philosophy; “On the Nature of Things” is a book recommended in the Yale open philosophy course.
I started The Covenant of Water and am enjoying it. It’s an engaging read with beautiful writing.
I am enjoying A Covenant of Water
As others have said, the clock was a reminder that I have permission for my mind to wonder in just a few more minutes and that helped me stay focused.
I started reading “The Glorious Cause” last night. It is a history book. I found that my attention wanders when I hit a part where the names are unfamiliar. I did not pick up another book but started back a page or so and re-read, trying to make sense of who the unfamiliar people were.
I started by reading Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín. It was pretty easy to focus for that 10 minutes. The writing is vivid and I was caught up in it immediately. I saw the movie a number of years ago before I knew the book existed and I loved it. Usually I read the book before I see the movie, so I’m curious how this will be.
I am reading Niccolos smile mainly as I read this book before but now will like to take in more information.
I wonder but I also realized this happens because at times I read with a lot of anxiety or restless mind. So just finding that spot usually helps
Funny enough someone here is reading Lucretius on the nature of things. Macchiavelli loved this book. He actually translated for someone (it was really expensive)to buy a book and such opportunity allowed him to make a copy for himself)
I found that my mind did wander more than usual when I started reading A History of Crete. However, I find that when I start a book this usually happens until I get into the rhythm of the author’s prose. I will continue with this book because we will visit Crete again at year’s end. The book of the three that I look forward to reading most is The Iliad because it is a work of classic literature that I haven’t yet read.
1. My mind did not wander at all yesterday. IF it had I would not have switched books. One of my problems now is that I jump to a different. ook too quickly. I often do not finish the book I start with!
2. Of the three, the book I am most interested in currently is “A Philosopher Looks at Science” by Nancy Cartwright (Within the last 70 days I have finished two book in related fields (“Finding Darwin’s God” and “Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark”). This adds to my longtime interest in the history and philosophy of science.
2. I have read for over 30 minutes today.
BTW, I just posted my responses to Assignment two and it is 8:30 pm on Monday August 5, 2025 and the date stamp on my post it August 6, 2024!
Richard
I am currently reading two books while on vacation in Greece. One is the Rise and Fall of Athens, and the other is a novel my wife picked up at the airport called No two persons. They complement each other well. I would say my mind wanders more with the historical book given it takes more focus in general and is a bit more mentally tiring. My mind usually wanders to personal issues and my phone/messages.
I set the timer for 10 minutes! Then read for an hour.