Boot Away Attention Residue

“We are most productive when we focus on a very small number of projects on which we can devote a large amount of attention.” -Cal Newport

“Attention Residue is the scientific concept that there is a cognitive switching cost to shifting your attention from one task to another. When your attention is shifted, there is a “residue” that remains with the prior task and impairs your cognitive performance on the new task.” -Sahil Bloom

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” -Steve Jobs

“Attention is the most basic form of love.” -Tara Brach

Sahil Bloom recently wrote an excellent article about attention residue and how to not let it derail you. Check it out here.

In it, he provides some great strategies including having a “boot up” sequence when switching between tasks. This may involve taking a walk, doing a quick meditation, listening to classical music, etc…Anything that helps get you back on track and in flow.

Setting this advice aside, the best thing you can do happens at the outset. Which is deciding what projects (have as few as possible) are worth your consistent effort and attention.

In a world that is increasingly vying for your attention, your “No” is just as important, if not more so, than your “Yes.”