You Become What You Give Your Attention To

Dear Stoic,

Do you feel like you're wasting your time on things that aren't benefiting you? If so, you're in the right place.

Our attention span is limited, and what we pay attention to is what shapes our lives. That's why it's so important to be aware of how we're distributing our attention throughout the day.

| “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.” — Jose Ortega y Gasset

Unfortunately, many of us fall into the trap of mindless living.

We feel like we have to be constantly updated on every single news story, and every piece of gossip. We're told that we have to pay attention to what the government says and what the school system tells us.

But is this really the best use of our time and mental bandwidth?

I want to make sure that the time you spend consuming information brings you benefits in the long run.

But let's be real: it's easy to get overwhelmed by the abundance of information in modern life.

Maybe you feel like you're not going in the right direction in life, or that your life is being shaped by others. Maybe you feel like you're not in control of your own life, or that you're not reaching your full potential. If this sounds like you, it's time to take control.

Some might object, saying that they need to be well informed about what's happening in the world. And it's true, staying informed can be important.

But the key is to find a balance. If you're constantly consumed by the news, you're not going to have the mental bandwidth to focus on the things that really matter to you.

The big benefit of focusing your attention on the things that matter is that you'll be able to do fewer things but do them better. Your mind won't be overwhelmed, so you'll be able to create more output. You'll be more productive and accomplish more with the same amount of time.

I know from personal experience how easy it is to waste time on things that don't matter.

I used to get sucked into politics and spend hours scrolling through social media. I watched sports instead of working on my future. I spent whole days watching Netflix when I wasn't happy with my life. I put off reading good books for years. And I went out every Friday night, only to waste my entire weekends recovering.

But once I started becoming aware of where I was spending my time and energy, things started to change. I realized that by canceling out the noise in the background and focusing on the things that truly mattered to me, I could make a plan for how I was going to distribute my attention throughout the day. And it's made all the difference.

So, what can you do to take control of your attention and shape your life for the better? Here are some steps to get started:

• Become aware of what you’re spending your time on

• Cancel all the noise in the background that’s not benefiting you

• Research things that you’re interested in and you know will benefit you in 2 years

• Make a plan for how you’ll be distributing your attention throughout the day

• Stick to the plan in 2023

Let's get to work!

Abdu Khol