Now that I’ve got your attention, I’ll tell you how you can get the most out of it.
But first, let’s clear up some common misconceptions about attention and ADHD.
As it turns out ADHD is not accurately named. Its not an attention deficit disorder, its a difference in how we regulate our attention. In fact, when it comes to something you’re interested in, you have an abundance of attention, not a deficit. And thats why you’re able to hyperfocus when you are engaged with something you’re highly interested in.
You may have heard that time is your most valuable asset, but this is also wrong. An asset is something you own and control, which is not the case for time.
Imagine if you spent all 8 hours of your work shift scrolling on social media, watching movies and taking a few naps in between. If you were only getting paid for your time, this wouldn’t really be a problem, would it? But of course nobody gets paid to marathon The Office while at their office job. What you’re actually getting paid for is your borrowed attention within that time frame.
We even talk about attention as a form of currency. We *pay* attention in exchange for whatever it is we hope to gain from it.
Attention is your most valuable asset. But it can also be a liability if not managed. Especially in the attention economy of the digital age where big tech companies are spending billions of dollars optimizing their platforms and hiring top psychologists to retain as much of your attention as possible.
In fact, the main metric for content consumption on social media and YouTube is viewer retention. That is, how long users are spending watching a video before swiping to the next one. And you wonder why every major platform has moved to vertical short form video content, which itself is shortening our collective attention spans.
This is a problem for everyone consuming content. But especially for those of us with ADHD who have difficulties regulating our attention. As a result, our attention is becoming increasingly scarce and valuable in the digital age where attention is the most valuable commodity.
But even when we aren’t actively using these apps, the constant battle for our attention presents itself in app notifications, emails, even the mere presence of our devices are a distraction. Not to mention the multitude of unpredictable interruptions we experience from others and our ourselves throughout the day.
So the question is, how do you maximize your return on attention to gain more value in exchange for the attention you’re spending? By recognizing it as a resource powered by your energy. Not unlike a battery, both your attention and energy can be recharged when they get depleted.
To maximize your return on attention, you need to identify these 3 things.
– When your attention is at its highest level and take note of what kind of mood and environment helps you focus best
– The signs that your attention is depleting and needs to be recharged
– What kind of activities, systems and strategies help you recharge your attention
Once you identify how your attention and energy levels fluctuate, you’ll be able to apply certain strategies to more effectively optimize your return and accomplish your best work.
Using a second brain to remain in a flow state while encountering new information is just one of the many useful tools and strategies to maximize your return on attention. A second brain acts as filter to extract value from the digital noise of the attention economy.
Body doubling during your peak attention and energy levels can act as a productivity multiplier, getting more work done in less time. It involves having someone present with you either physically or remotely while working, which acts as an external accountability trigger for you to commit to getting a task done. You can find out more about body doubling and try it for free with me here.
These are just 2 of the many highly effective strategies for maximizing your return on attention. It’s all about leveraging your interests, which varies on an individual level. Thats where working with an ADHD coach can be highly beneficial to help build positive momentum with systems and strategies you can use to improve your quality of life.
Once you understand that your attention is your most valuable asset, you can start treating everything you pay attention to as an investment that yields either a positive or negative return. Identify ways to generate value for others based on your interests and you can transform your attention into income. That is how you eliminate the middle man of an employer dictating your attention.