Dying attention span? Time to rebuild deep focus.

I've noticed something not so great over the past few years about my own attention span—and I bet you have too. After diving into the research (including work by Nicholas Carr and Marianne Wolf) and examining my own habits, I've seen even more how our daily diet of more and more short-form content can actually rewire our brains, shifting us away from deep thinking toward constant skimming.

Are there benefits to short-form content? Definitely - so before we grab the pitchforks let’s take a closer look at the situation and what we can do to regain our long term focus.

The Focus We're Losing

Ever catch yourself unable to read more than a few minutes at a time of a book that you would have devoured just a few years ago? I've been there, and it genuinely started to freak me out.

As someone who creates and consumes content for a living, I noticed a troubling pattern in my own behavior. My ability to focus was declining, and I found myself drawn into cycles of short-form content—while being fully aware that is wasn’t that great for me.

This isn't just about productivity. It's about something more fundamental: our brain's ability to think deeply and make meaningful connections. Our constant consumption of bite-sized content is literally training our brains to skim rather than dive deep.

Here's what's fascinating (and concerning): this isn't just about entertainment choices. When our brains adapt to constant quick-hit content, it affects everything—from how we solve complex problems to how we experience empathy and personal fulfillment. I've noticed, and studies have confirmed, that after time spent scrolling through social media, I often feel emptier than when I started.

Think about the last time you sat down with a good book or worked deeply on a meaningful project. Remember that sense of satisfaction? That's not just nostalgia—it's your brain craving something deeper than the digital equivalent of snack food.

The good news? We can rebuild this ability to focus. And in today's world of endless distractions, that skill is becoming nothing short of a superpower. In fact, I've developed some practical strategies that have helped me reclaim my attention span which I think you can use or alter to fit your needs.

This Week’s Favorite

Rebuilding Your Focus Muscle

Let me share the systems I've built to reclaim my attention span. These aren't just ideas—they're practices I use every day.

Here's what's working for me:

1. The Phone Basket Method

• I placed a basket at the bottom of our stairs with a simple sign: "After 9PM put your phone here"

• Yes, it felt a bit goofy at first, but it works brilliantly

• I replaced nighttime phone scrolling with my Kindle

• This prevents those "just one quick email check" moments that turn into hour-long rabbit holes or dread about something negative that popped into my inbox

2. Morning Reading Ritual

• Start with focused reading time before diving into the day

• Review highlights from previous readings (I use spaced repetition on Readwise)

• Mix between Kindle and physical books

• Include time to process saved articles from throughout the week

3. Deep Work Blocking

• Started with 45-minute blocks, now up to 90-120 minutes

• No meetings or calls during these periods

• Focus on creative work, not administrative tasks

• Put phone in another room during these sessions

• Close the door and create a distraction-free environment

• Use an alarm if you have upcoming commitments

Note: This isn't about completely eliminating short-form content. I still watch quick tutorial videos and enjoy brief content when it makes sense. The key is being intentional about when and how you consume different types of content.

Think of it like exercise—you're not going to rebuild your focus muscle overnight. I started with 45-minute deep work sessions and gradually built up from there. The goal isn't perfection; it's progress.

Tip: Pay special attention to your most productive hours. For me, that's the morning. I protect this time fiercely for the work that matters most. Those distraction-free morning hours have become my secret weapon for getting meaningful work done.

The ability to focus deeply is becoming increasingly rare—and therefore, increasingly valuable. Each time you choose to engage with longer-form content or tackle a complex task without distraction, you're strengthening this skill.

Extra Extra

• Two great references that I came across during a deeper dive:

  • The Shallows - What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains - a book by Nicholas Carr

  • Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain - a book by Maryanne Wolf

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