Focus & Attention

Distraction is the default setting for most of us. These articles and practices help you train your attention, stay present with what matters, and work with a wandering mind instead of fighting it.
facts vs. beliefs
Focus & Attention
Motivated Reasoning 

I recently spoke on panel about ocean conservation at the San Francisco Aquarium, moderated by Environmental Defense Fund marine ecologist Dr. Rodney M. Fujita. Psychologists, activists, marketing experts, and even a futurologist gathered to discuss how to best educate and motivate the public about the dangers of everything from overfishing… Read More 

  • Kelly McGonigal
  • January 14, 2012
Focus & Attention
What are you missing? An experiment. 

It was around this time of year in 2007 when The Washington Post organized a grand social experiment—one definitely worth revisiting. See what happens in the 3-minute video below. Here’s the recap: On a cold January morning, in a Washington DC metro station, a man with a… Read More 

  • Line Goguen-Hughes
  • January 11, 2012
Focus & Attention
Managing Two Minds: the conscious vs. automatic 

Have you ever noticed that when you’re under stress, it’s so much harder to resist temptation? Or make any kind of change in your daily routine, like starting an exercise program or kicking a late-night TV habit? That’s because stress primes the brain to take automatic action. Any impulse will… Read More 

  • Kelly McGonigal
  • December 23, 2011
driving
Focus & Attention
Driving as Preparation 

Donald Altman says you can use your driving time as an exercise to bring more presence to your life. Read More 

  • Donald Altman
  • August 17, 2011
# Alt Text A pixelated silhouette of a human head in profile with a glowing pink and purple brain area.
Focus & Attention
What Attention Zone is Your Mind In? 

The Attention Zones Model identifies four different modes of focus in which the mind functions. Elisha Goldstein shows us how we can use this model to improve our attention and use our time more productively. Read More 

  • Elisha Goldstein
  • May 24, 2011
Feeling Overconnected? Here are Simple Ways to Unplug
Focus & Attention
Feeling Overconnected? Here are Simple Ways to Unplug 

As much as we'd all like to escape from our technology, oftentimes the demands of work don't give us the choice. Elisha Goldstein gives advice on how to use our digital devices to actually support us in our mindfulness practice. Read More 

  • Elisha Goldstein
  • May 18, 2011
A white electrical outlet with two sockets is centered on a bright green wall. The outlet cover is simple and clean, contrasting with the vibrant background color. The image has a minimalist aesthetic with no other objects visible.
Focus & Attention
Is it Time to Unplug? 

"So there I was driving," writes Elisha Goldstein, "only to look up and find that I was three exits past where I needed to get off. Talk about being on auto-pilot. Sound familiar?" Read More 

  • Line Goguen-Hughes
  • May 6, 2011
A yellow pencil points towards two checkboxes labeled
Focus & Attention
Meditation Leads to Better Decision-Making 

A new study  reveals how mindfulness practice can change decision-making for the better. The study, conducted by the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, found that people who meditate regularly use different parts of their brains in the decision-making process. A total of 66 people participated in the study. Those who regularly practiced… Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • April 26, 2011
A person's hand giving a thumbs-up gesture is displayed next to multiple instances of the word
Focus & Attention
Mindful Social Networking 

Social networking—is it helpful or harmful? Ethan Nichtern offers suggestions for how we can go online without losing our minds. Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • April 21, 2011
Ad for a mindfulness app with meditations, articles, and a section sidebar, shown on a phone held in hand.