Our focus is one of the greatest reflections of our reality. What we choose to think about influences what we see, which means our attention is one of the greatest influences we have over ourselves. That makes it immensely valuable.
This is significant because the trajectory of our actions, relationships, and emotions is often determined by what we choose to focus on. It is also relatively easy to demonstrate.
Take some space. Find a location that will allow you to reflect, and spend a few moments on each prompt presented.
Take a moment to reflect on your weekend.
Think about your favorite moment from the weekend.
Then, take a moment to think about the person who made you the happiest.
Think about the weather. Which part of the weekend had the best weather?
Now, take a moment to reflect on your Monday. How did it compare to a perfect Monday?
Then, think about an interaction you wish you could change. Consider why that interaction could have gone better.
Now come back.
Compare your reflection of the weekend to your reflection of Monday. Which period seemed better?
Probably your weekend, right?
Was that simply because weekends are historically more enjoyable, or was it because I directed you to focus on the better elements of your weekend while directing you toward the negative elements of your Monday?
In Dr. Zhong-Lin Lu’s 2008 review of the mechanisms of attention, he concludes through numerous studies “that attention improves performance via two major mechanisms: Stimulus enhancement and External noise exclusion.” Essentially, what we focus on becomes more prominent in our perception of reality.
What if we focused on Monday the same way we focused on the weekend? Chances are, our perception of Monday would improve.
But I would never actually have you do that. Because there is a good chance it would ruin my argument.
If I asked you to think about the best parts of Monday and the worst parts of your weekend, some of you might still choose the weekend. Historically, we tend to enjoy weekends more. However, I would also be giving you an opportunity to reach a conclusion that works against the claim I am trying to make.
I am trying to convince you that what you focus on influences what you see. Naturally, I designed the exercise to direct your attention toward the evidence that helped me make that point. I controlled what information became prominent because I wanted to influence the conclusion you reached.
Large technology companies operate under a similar principle. They understand that controlling what receives our attention can influence what we continue to see, consume, and engage with.
It has become widely recognized that social media can have addictive qualities, consuming hours upon hours of our time. In response to growing concerns surrounding excessive screen time, corporations have introduced features that give users greater control over how long they spend on their applications. However, those same applications rarely create an environment that truly empowers users to leave.
You can set a screen-time limit that discourages you from using an app, but when that limit appears, the application often provides a quick way around it. A few taps of a button, and you are back to scrolling again.
If these companies understand the negative implications of excessive screen time, why would they continue creating environments that make it so easy to return?
Tristan Harris describes in an interview with Big Think something known as the “attention economy.” In the attention economy, our attention operates as currency. However, unlike most currencies, the unit is finite. We are all given the same 24 hours in a day.
For these corporations to survive and compete, they must capture as much of that limited attention as possible. Their financial incentives depend on keeping us engaged. As a result, we cannot assume that the companies competing for our attention will also be committed to protecting it.
It means that if we believe our attention is valuable, we have to take responsibility for protecting it ourselves. We need practical strategies such as the application Social Lite or products such as Brick that give users greater control over where their attention goes. We would never casually hand strangers access to our money because we understand its value. Our attention should be treated the same way.
If someone can determine what you focus on, they can begin to influence your perception of reality.
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