The Level Up Letter - Vol. 14 - Do we have your attention?

Are you really multitasking?

Author

Better Board Meeting
March 22, 2024

THE LEVEL UP LETTER

Hi All!
Your weekly Level Up Letter is here. This week we’re focusing on, wait, what was I saying? Ohh, I need to get a coffee, respond to that email, did I lock the door, oh crap I’m typing the Level Up Letter. That’s right we’re talking about attention…or our lack thereof.

We hope you’re in a place you can focus and more than anything we hope you enjoy!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Talk about an attention suck. Our phones and social media are the biggest detriment to focus and doing deep work we’ve ever seen.

We wanted to share this first because it is hands down the coolest social media/phone blocking product we’ve ever used.

The hardware links with the app and you can turn off up to 50 apps or only allow up to 50 apps. You can only ‘unbrick’ your phone by tapping your phone to the box. This means no more tapping a warning to bypass your timer and you have to get off your butt if you want to unlock those socials.

Andy recorded a video about it you can watch here.

We’ve been using it for a few weeks now and loved it so much that we reached out to the founders. They gave us a discount code for all our readers. Use BBMBRICK at check out and you’ll save 10%. You’ll also be supporting us in the process.

CONTINUOUS PARTIAL ATTENTION

The ultimate FOMO and an underlying cause for a rise in anxiety.

⁣The concept of Continuous Partial Attention was originally coined by Linda Stone (former Apple, Microsoft, now writer/consultant) in 1998. It was a way to differentiate between simple and complex multi-tasking. Let’s talk about both.

Simple multi-tasking is a way to increase productivity by doing multiple tasks at the same time but one of those tasks needs to be fairly automatic and routine. You can make yourself lunch on automatic mode and have a meaningful conversation over the phone at the same time. The goal is to get more done so you have time for the things you enjoy.

Complex multi-tasking or Continuous Partial Attention is trying to do multiple things with high priority at the same time and having the need to be connected to everything that is going on. (hence the ultimate FOMO) Trying to be on a zoom call, while writing an important email and thinking through your next meeting at the same time. You’re giving part of your attention to multiple things all at once. Continuous Partial Attention doesn’t give you the free time for the things you enjoy because you are constantly plugged in.

CPA has become much more prevalent over the years. Originally with the rise of email use. Now social media, zoom calls and hustle culture are added in. The feeling of needing to be connected to everything all the time can create an artificial internal crisis mode. This can set off our internal flight or fight response which triggers our dopamine, serotonin and cortisol levels to get all out of whack. Lack of sleep, anxiety, stress anyone???

So what do we do to combat it?

  1. Recognize it - You can’t fix it if you don’t know what’s broken

  2. Have an “Off Mode” - You have to have some downtime built into your day.

  3. Set Your Priorities - Give your time and attention to these and cut out as much as possible with everything else.

  4. Have the difficult conversation - First with yourself and then with the people around you. Your boss, family, friends, and coworkers to set expectations and limits.

NEED HELP FOCUSING YOUR ATTENTION?

Come join us through personal coaching or a mastermind group and we can help you narrow your focus to the most important things. Don’t be shy. We’re happy to help! Reach out with any questions.