Rush Hour – Bringing attention and focus into our fast paced lives

RUSH HOURhow to bring attention and focus into our fast paced lives https://www.flickr.com/photos/71267357@N06/14681452225/in/faves-132133933@N04/

an increase in external stimulation has resulted in a decrease in attention spans

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attention spanthe amount of concentrated time on a task without

becoming distracted

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jumping between digital distractions can destruct

one’s attention span

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The ability to focus on what’s important and what isn’t..

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…is fundamental to the way we want to live our life

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8 secondswas the average

attention span in 2013

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which is less than the 9 second average of

a goldfish

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Shorter attention spans have led to a shorter memory 3

with information overload our brain is unable to retain

and process every detail

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we can no longer spend time mentally entertaining ourselves

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Our attention is more frequently forgetting the path to proper and fulfilling engagement

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Accustomed to a life of stops and starts, we are less accustomed to reflecting on where we are and what we are thinking.8

Americans  aged  18  +  spend  an  hour  a  day  on  the  Internet  on  their  computers,  and  at  least  another  hour  accessing  apps  and  the  Web

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We get bored, look at social media and

continue to be unfulfilled

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54% of people check their phones while in bed

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39% while using the bathroom5

30% during a meal

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The cure? being mindful

to be conscious or aware of something

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we need to think about where we want or

need our focus to be

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We need a new ‘digital philosophy’

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https://picjumbo.com/girl-using-macbook-pro/

a way of thinking that takes into account the human

need to connect outward1

as well as the opposite need for time and space apart

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The  key?  Striking  a  balance

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1. "Digital Overload: How We Are Seduced by Distraction." The Globe and Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. 2. "How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy - The New Yorker." The New Yorker. N.p., 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 10 June 2015. 3. "How Social Media Affects Your Attention Span." N.p., n.d. Web. 4. "How To Train Your Attention and Be Effective When Working Online." RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. 5. "Lookout." - Welcome to. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. 6. Stern, Caryl M. "In Praise of Clicktivism." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. 7. "Thanks Social Media - Our Average Attention Span Is Now Shorter Than Goldfish | B2B Marketing Insider." B2B Marketing Insider RSS. N.p., 19 May 2014. Web. 10 June 2015. 8. Turkle, Sherry. "The Documented Life." New York Times 16 Dec. 2013: A25(L). Academic OneFile. Web. 10 June 2015. 9. "Mindful." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015. 10. Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 June 2015.

*all photos were edited to black and white

WORKS CITED