Embrace Boredom to Train Your Focus

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Embracing boredom is essential for enhancing focus and productivity. The ability to concentrate deeply, as exemplified by figures like Teddy Roosevelt, requires commitment to training the mind through cognitive calisthenics. This involves reducing dependency on constant novel stimuli, such as frequently checking phones when bored. Instead of seeking distractions, individuals should allow themselves to experience boredom in everyday situations, such as waiting in line, which helps strengthen the brain's executive functioning. Establishing habits of deep work and creating protected time for intense focus are necessary for achieving high-quality output in a short period, mirroring Roosevelt's productivity. Overall, a conscious effort to embrace boredom ultimately sharpens concentration and improves performance during deep work sessions.

Cal Newport: Deep Work Cal Newport, author of Deep Work*, teaches us the rules for focused success in a distracted world. Key Points The Four Rules of Deep Work: Work Deeply Embrace Boredom Quit Social Media Drain the Shallows How to get started with Deep Work: Train your brain to be better at focusing (example: put your phone away after dinner) Set aside time for deep work (example: set aside five hours a week for deep work) Make a move in your life that signals to yourself that you take the ability to focus seriously (example: quitting a social media service) Quotes A big problem with a lot of these attention-stealing technologies is that we’ve adopted … the “any benefit mindset” for tool adoption. –Cal Newport You have to wean [your brain] off its dependence on novel stimuli every time you feel a little bored. –Cal Newport I think focus is the new IQ, and that deep work is going to become one of the most valuable skills as our economy gets more competitive and more complex. –Cal Newport In almost any profession, cultivating a deep work ethic will produce massive benefits. –Cal Newport It’s wrong to assume you automatically have the right to work whatever schedule you want. –Cal Newport Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.