On the importance of eliminating distraction
Eliminating distraction is core to success.
I was writing yesterday and had the urge to check Linkedin. Why? It has never been something that has urgency for me on an hour by hour basis let alone minute by minute. Usually it just clutters my brain or task list.
But yet, here I was, and here I am, day after day, while in the middle of focused work like writing or coding or something like that, seeking an escape every now and then that will break the focus. I am developing sheer willpower to notice the distraction and wean myself off of the sugar high of internet distraction. But it’s bigger than that.
This temptation made me also realize the importance of compound focus. By continuing to focus on my essay yesterday, there was a depth of thought I was able to achieve that would have been superficial had I moved my focus to another venue and re-engaged after a moment’s “break”. Re-engaging requires rebuilding context. Furthermore, after engaging with the idea in a messy but deep way, I thought of three other essays I’d like to write.
Eliminating distraction is not just about maintaining focus. It is about the compound, non-linear benefits of deep engagement - like new ideas, creative solutions, and seemingly tangential thoughts that can become the main idea.
I strongly believe focus and deep, original thought are increasingly differentiated competitive advantages in a distracted society often too busy to look at the big picture.
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