In The Age Of Notifications, Here Are 5 Small Ways To Fight Distractions

Has there ever been a time in history where it’s this easy to get distracted?

Notifications, text messages, emails, Slack alerts, the number of ways in which we can be reached today is limitless. On top of that, especially in today’s remote culture, we are expected to be available for Zoom calls and phone conferences all hours of the day. Add in social media, breaking news updates, and funny memes from friends in group chats, and the art of staying focused has become its own item on the priority list.

They always say that research is me-search. I am writing this article because I, myself, am working on staying focused. Especially over the past month, during the election and subsequent insanity, focusing on anything except who was going to become the next elected president of the United States seemed impossible. And so, while I sat on the couch waiting for the verdict (and simultaneously checking three devices), I realized it was time to hone my focus skills and get things back on track.

I’m not sure we ever actually master the art of focus. It’s something we need to practice daily and it requires attention and consciousness until it’s a habit (and again, even then, we need a brush up every once in a while).