Ep. 278: How to Think
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
00:00
Interval Training for Focus
✨Key takeaways:
- Practice focusing with interval training.
- Start small and gradually increase duration.
- Ritual and environment setup helps in falling into deep attention mode.
To improve your ability to sustain attention, use interval training with work or leisure activities like watching a movie or reading. Start with a comfortable interval (e.g., 10 minutes) using a timer. Increase the duration by 10 minutes once you can consistently hit the current time. If your concentration breaks, restart the timer. Example: Set a 10-minute timer to read with full concentration, then increase to 20 minutes.
Create a specific environment and ritual for deep work or focused activities, separate from regular work or leisure spaces. This helps to shift your mindset into a deeper attention mode. Example: Set up a dedicated chair, lighting, and location for reading, distinct from your workspace or TV area.
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