In this deafening clamor of notifications, pings, and rings, do you know the one thing nobody cares about? You. And your attention, your well-being.
Nobody cares about your attention because you can always work late nights and get work done. Then why bother?
We have been sold the illusion that we are more productive when we are constantly connected, that we are more efficient when we multitask.
But in reality, we are almost dying, drowning in a sea of distractions, pulled in a million directions at once. And we are somehow getting the work done in hiding, after dinner, on weekends, and during family time.
Focus is not just a productivity problem. It is a work-life balance problem. It is a well-being problem. It is an existential problem.
But in a capitalist economy, nobody cares about things that don’t have an explicit price tag (e.g., people’s attention).
If people are not expendable, we have to give them mental space and undistracted time to do their work.
Well-being is not just about free food, spa, therapy, and happy hours — it is as much about focus.
Train your people to build focus. Encourage them to inculcate focus. That is the only way people can do their best work.
– Rajan