Day 15: You Don't Have a Focus Problem
September Rentrée Series
🍂 Welcome to the September Rentrée! Every weekday this month, you'll get one bold, bite-sized piece to spark reflection, shift your habits, and help you design a life that feels good in real life. 1 month. 20 bold truths. A life-changing September. In France, la rentrée (the return) is a national event. It's about fresh routines, new ideas, and intentional renewal. And that's exactly the energy we're bringing here!
You don't need more focus. You need less noise.
We blame ourselves for being distracted, thinking we need more discipline or a new productivity hack. But the data shows our environment is working against us.
The average time we spend on a single screen task is just 47 seconds.
The problem isn’t a lack of focus. It's an excess of distraction.
To fix this, we need a better framework. Author Nir Eyal provides a simple one:
Traction: Actions that move you toward your goals.
Distraction: Actions that pull you away from them.
Every minute of your day is one or the other.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: The most significant source of distraction isn’t your phone’s notifications. It’s your own internal triggers.
We don’t just get distracted; we choose distraction to escape discomfort.
We check email to avoid a difficult task. We scroll social media to avoid boredom. We consume endless content to avoid being alone with our thoughts.
The solution isn't adding more tools. It’s strategic subtraction.
How to reclaim your brain:
Subtract Before You Add: Before adopting a new productivity method, delete a distraction. Remove a noisy app, unsubscribe from a newsletter, or turn off notifications. Build a foundation of quiet first.
Audit Your Attention: For one week, honestly track your time. Ask yourself constantly: "Is this action traction or distraction?" The data will give you clarity, not guilt.
Design Device-Free Sanctuaries: Make your dinner table, your bedroom, or the first hour of your day a no-screen zone. Protect your mind by protecting your environment.
Schedule “Scatterfocus”: Block 15 minutes a day to let your mind wander without guilt. Take a walk, stare out the window, or just sit. This isn’t wasted time; it’s essential fuel for deep thinking.
Your attention is your most valuable asset. The most powerful question you can ask yourself today is this:
What would change if you treated your attention like money? Where would you invest it?
If today's post resonated, subscribe free to get the rest of Your September Rentrée series: 20 days of bold truths to design your wellbeing.