May I have your attention? How to close mental loops and improve focus
How many loops do you currently have open on your mental dashboard?
For a long time, I was proud of my ability to multitask - jumping from one email to a call, then to a chat with a colleague, and back to my inbox. But the reality is that the real deep work - which is crucial for innovation - often only got done after hours.
The cost of constant multitasking
So, what happens when we constantly multitask? Our attention becomes fragmented. According to Gallup, 70% of people admit they are chronically distracted. On average, they have just 11 minutes of full concentration per day.
The result? We become superficial, struggle to listen effectively, feel restless, and get stressed more easily.
Does this sound familiar?
How to close mental loops and regain focus
If you want to save your precious attention and focus on your life’s work, start by closing as many mental loops as you can. Here is how:
Forgive yourself for past mistakes: Acknowledge what has not worked and commit to doing better next time.
Create a system to capture ideas: Empty your brain by having a reliable system to capture tasks and ideas.
Switch off notifications: Close browser tabs and turn off notifications to minimise distractions.
Plan for one task at a time: Deep work requires focus - schedule 90-120 minutes for uninterrupted work sessions.
Automate decisions: Simplify your life by automating routine decisions, like what to wear or have for breakfast.
Schedule time to do nothing: This might be the hardest step, but it is essential for mental clarity and creativity.
These steps have helped me become more productive and enter flow states much more easily. They also boost learning, creativity, productivity, and motivation by more than 100%!
If this sounds too good to be true, test it for yourself and see what happens. Try it with your teams and observe the results.
I am curious—what helps you focus your attention, close mental loops, or get into deep work?
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