- Attention is a skill, and hence it can be developed.
- It is difficult to concentrate on our thoughts and action as per a pre-determined plan.
- Attention can be strengthened by bringing the mind back.
Amidst the current Covid crisis, there are multiple elements around us that attract our attention, making it difficult for us to concentrate on our thoughts and action as per a pre-determined plan. Anything that fuels fear, becomes the first one for us to focus on, based on the way our brain circuit is wired. With the gloom and despair all around, a small ray of hope becomes the moment to cherish.
Attention is a skill, and hence it can be developed. The way the sports professionals have their attention developed, enables them to have a razor sharp attention and focus on their sport, when they are in action – be it basket ball, tennis or golf. So, are the neuro surgeons and other professionals in their own field. Lack of attention would make them suffer a fortune in their lives, which probably is the primary reason they accord importance to it – their brain is programmed accordingly. Over a period of time, this becomes their habit. Often emotions take over attention, and guide it. We need to learn how do we use our emotions to drive attention to a subject that is important to us. In fact, our emotions are contagious for better or worse, depending on the attention we pay. Emotion is innate to all of us, while emotional response is an area to learn.
Majority of times, our mind is wandering – in fact, research shows that 50 % of time, our mind is wandering irrespective of what kind of activity we are engaged in. Attention can be strengthened by bringing the mind back – this is a skill to be harnessed. Often, we depend on externals to grab our attention. The environment, we expose ourselves to, the company we keep, are all factors that would influence the quality of our attention. This is how techniques like meditation, yoga, etc. assist in improving our attention, thereby benefiting us. It helps us to make ourselves aware facilitating us to manage ‘self’. It allows us to ponder over our thoughts and streamline them to allow us to explore new things and ideas. It reinforces our capability to exploit our strengths and qualities.
Our understanding and interest are the main factors that drive attention. Undivided attention facilitates focus and concentration, which directly reflects in possibility of success in any task. Each one of us have an inner urge for us to be in a state that feels good. Given a choice, we would always want to move to this state and sustain it.
