Patrick Rhone, a thoughtful blogger and thinker, joins Mike Vardy for a compelling discussion about the essence of focus. They explore the importance of clarity in cultivating attention, and how poor planning can derail productivity. Rhone emphasizes setting intentions before tasks to enhance outcomes, while also breaking down the four spheres of attention. The conversation dives into the balancing act required to maintain focus amid distractions, including the role of tools and AI in our lives. Ultimately, they reveal that the quality of our attention shapes our life experiences.
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Clarity and Focus
Thomas Merton said, "Clarity affords focus."
Improve planning to gain clarity and focus.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Busy Schedules and Focus
Mike Vardy and Patrick Rhone discuss their busy schedules impacting focus.
Vardy shares his recent focus on health and meal planning.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Importance of Planning for Food
Patrick Rhone shares an anecdote about forgetting to schedule time to eat.
This impacted his focus during the podcast recording.
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This episode is the latest in our monthly PM Talks series, where Patrick Rhone and I go deep on foundational elements of productiveness. And for this one—our 600th episode, no less—we dive into a topic that touches everything from our to-do lists to our dinner prep: focus.
What does it really mean to focus? And more importantly, how do we hold onto it when the world (and our brains) are pulling us in a million directions? Patrick and I get personal, philosophical, and practical in this candid conversation about the mechanics, challenges, and beauty of attention.
Six Discussion Points
Why clarity is essential for cultivating focus
How poor planning can derail your ability to be present (and how to get back on track)
The four spheres of attention: Noticing, Awareness, Focus, and Concentration
How setting an intention—before a task or even a class—can sharpen your results
The role of tools, routines, and even AI in maintaining (or stealing) our attention
Why focus is as much about space as it is about time
Focus isn’t just about removing distractions—it’s about choosing what matters and committing to it with clarity and care. Whether we’re talking about planning meals or choosing how to use AI, what Patrick and I come back to again and again is this: the quality of your attention determines the quality of your experience. And we hope this conversation helps you experience more of what really matters.
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A Productive Conversation