[tdeck]

I've tried to build my attention span back up. I measure this by how long I can read a book without the reflexive urge to look away or switch to something on my phone.

What I find helpful:

1. Try not to multitask. Do not look at your phone while watching a show. Do not listen to a podcast while working. I tend to use podcasts as a way to get myself to do something else I don't enjoy, but I'm either distracted from work or tuning the podcast out so I stopped.

2. Let your mind think thoughts on its own without input. Take breaks that don't involve any media at all.

3. Dedicate time to reading longer things. Set a timer and say "today I'm going to read this book for 15 minutes without a break". Or 20 minutes. Or an hour. If you're already at an hour you probably aren't in the audience for this article anyway.

4. Use the pomodoro method while working.

I'm sure some people will read this list with a sense of derision, but perhaps others will relate. Attention span is like a muscle that's been atrophied to a different extent in different people.

[unrealp]

4. Use the pomodoro method while working. >> helps me a lot. i keep 15 minute slots where i get phone offline and work. then at the end of 15 minutes do phone stuff for 10 minutes. you can get a lot done with pomodoro through the day.