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- "Mind-Wandering" | Why Dreaming > Focusing
Hi friend
Today I'm going to tell you why you should dream more and focus less. This is not a prank or a lie, but a realization that will hit you when you're done reading this
Focus Isn't The Main 'Focus'
Concentrate, focus, aim, pay attention, don't dream...
These are some of the words they use to snap a kid who's day dreaming. As a kid people tell you to focus but when you think about it, kids are the most creative. The worst part? You would feel guilty for doing so.
Being productive, focusing for hours, maximum efficiency from time spent are hot topics in the space of self help. Brilliant. No debate. Except... This is just one form of attention.
We've focused (pun unintended) so much on attention that we treat it as the only way to spend our mental energy. In reality, there are other forms of attention that help us do better mentally (and physically).
Our Brain Works Even When It Doesn't
Distractions are all around us. We blame them for not doing more with the time we have.
No distractions = more productivity. Well yes but also no.
Say you have 16 hours (sleep deducted) and you're on a holiday. Zero work. Zero chores.
You have all the time in the day to read more, write more and consume more. You try to focus. You'll realise that you can't.
Your mind will wander aimlessly. Not for minutes, but for hours. The lack of distractions don't help you focus more, they help your mind wander.
The twist however is this: Your mind starts making connections. You'll connect things you've done last week, last month or last year in no predictable sequence.
Marcus Raichle a prominent neuroscientist made a breakthrough on this topic
"Studies of the brain’s intrinsic activity, popularly referred to as resting-state studies, have come to play a major role in studies of the human brain in health and disease"
This wandering has 3 parts:
Making Sense of the world
Making New Connections
Visit the past; Predict the future
Making Sense Of The World
Those moments when you start dreaming (without realising). As you're reading this article, you will try to relate to your own life. Times when you've been dreaming. You get flashbacks from the past.
"This is what happens when you read. This is reading."
Making New Connections
The brain tries to make things 'fit'. These moments happen when you're thinking about something while doing something else.
Thinking about a problem when you're taking the ride home. Thinking about an argument when you're grocery shopping.
Solutions to problems happen when you're NOT trying to solve them.
Visit the past; Predict the future
We use events from the past to help prepare better for events in the future. (at least I hope you do 😭)
The next time your mind wanders, let it.
The ideas, emotions and epiphanies you have might be the best thing to happen to you. Too precious to forget? Write them down.
Use a notes app or sketchpad. Personally I use the 'Drafts' app on my phone but whatever works :)
If you're done with a tiring day and want to recover, you could actually benefit from sitting down and letting your mind wander. This can also happen on walks or while sipping a hot drink.
You don't have to feel guilty about it :) Dream more often to make sense of the world :D
Note: This edition is influenced by my reading of 'Stolen Focus' by Johann Hari. It's longer than my previous editions but I hope you enjoyed this one.
My focus is value over everything. Do reply if you want more editions like this. Any criticism is also welcome
Until then, stay safe friend
RegardsRainar xx