So you get a boost of motivation and energy and decide to start taking action on something. But as goals and motivations stretch into weeks and months, you start to lose steam and motivation, and easily get distracted, especially with all the distractions we encounter on a daily basis.
This happens to most people to day, and in this article you'll read about how among the many different tactics you can use to keep your motivation up, one surprisingly easy way to keep your focus is by reading.
In this article, we’ll look at how reading can act as a sort of RAM loading into your working memory to keep focused on what you're trying to accomplish, keeping you engaged with the content at hand and maintaining your motivation and momentum.
Why Allowing Yourself to Get Distracted is a Major Momentum Killer
I don't have to tell you that distractions are everywhere -- social media, sports, news, to-do lists -- there's more work to do than you will ever have time to accomplish; and you're not a machine, so don't expect to be able to do everything you have planned All these tasks and thoughts eat up your time and mental energy. When you get distracted, you lose precious time and disrupt your flow, the precious state of mind that allows you to actually do things that have an impact in life.
Did you know: it can take up to 20 minutes to recover from a single distraction and get back to where you were in your flow state? - Link
You probably don't even need to imagine the frustration and lack of productivity. We've all been there. Recognizing this is the first step to regaining control. Understand how distractions derail you, and make a conscious effort to minimize them. Next time you're pulled away from your priorities, take a deep breath, refocus, and get back on track.
For example, think about a time when you sat down to work on an important project. You might have planned to spend an hour on it, but halfway through, you checked your phone. One notification led to another, and before you knew it, thirty minutes had passed. This interruption not only stole your time but also broke your concentration. Getting back into the groove took longer than it should have, leaving you feeling frustrated and behind schedule.
As a mere mortal, you can only hold so much in your mind at one time, which is why it's vital to ensure that you only allow the most relevant ideas and information in during a stretch of focus. To dig into this a bit more, let's carve out the next section to talk about working memory.
Understanding the Limits of Your Working Memory
Our brains are incredibly powerful, yet they have a finite capacity for processing and retaining information. Working memory—the cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating information—can only manage a limited amount at any given time. When you attempt to focus on too many ideas or consume excessive information simultaneously, your working memory becomes overloaded. This overload can lead to forgetting important details and make it difficult to maintain concentration on your primary goals.
Now, you might even be aware that this is happening. There is an infinite amount of things to focus on. Once you get done working on whatever it is you're focused on, you naturally have other things to do or other things you want to do -- things like hanging out with family, watching a movie, playing video games, checking up on the latest updates on social media, watching Youtube videos, etc.
But keep in mind what's actually happening here is that you are potentially pushing out really important bits of information and context out of your working memory to put in unrelated pieces, disrupting memory and potential connections between ideas.
Again, I'm not arguing for you to be a stoic or a robot and only focus on one thing for months at a time, I'm simply encouraging you to be a bit more selective in the content you consume...at least while working on something important like a large work project or even side projects. Your working memory is precious, so try to foster more connections by consuming content relevant to the topic at hand.
Consequences of Overloading Working Memory
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Forgetting Essential Information: Trying to juggle multiple unrelated tasks or absorbing too much information at once can cause your brain to forget critical details necessary for your projects.
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Increased Distractions: An overloaded working memory struggles to filter out irrelevant information, making it easier for distractions to pull you away from your main objectives.
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Reduced Cognitive Efficiency: Excessive information can create mental clutter, hindering your ability to think clearly and make effective decisions.
The Necessity of Selective Consumption
To optimize your working memory and maintain sustained focus, it's essential to be selective about the content you consume. Here’s why:
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Enhanced Focus: By prioritizing relevant information, you ensure that your cognitive resources are dedicated to what truly matters, reducing the likelihood of distraction.
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Improved Retention: Consuming information that aligns with your current goals helps reinforce important concepts, making it easier to recall and apply them when needed.
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Increased Productivity: A streamlined intake of relevant content allows for deeper engagement with your projects, fostering creativity and efficient problem-solving.
Supporting Research:
- Cognitive Load Theory: Explains that managing cognitive load by limiting extraneous information enhances learning and task performance - Link
- Attention and Distraction: Kahneman (1973) highlights how divided attention can impair cognitive performance and increase susceptibility to distractions (Kahneman, 1973).
Finding the Right Balance
You don’t have to ditch your favorite hobbies or completely avoid leisure activities. It’s all about finding a balance and being intentional with what you consume, especially when you’re deep into a project. Here’s how:
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Pick What Matters:
- Do It: Choose books, articles, or videos that are directly related to your current goals or projects.
- Why: This ensures that the information you take in actually helps you move forward, rather than pulling you in different directions.
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Set Aside Time for Fun:
- Do It: Allocate specific times for your recreational activities so they don’t interfere with your work.
- Why: Having a schedule helps you enjoy your downtime without feeling guilty or distracted during work hours.
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Combine Learning with Leisure:
- Do It: Opt for activities that are both enjoyable and informative. For example, watch a documentary related to your field or play strategy-based games that make you think.
- Why: This way, you’re still having fun while keeping your brain engaged in a relevant way.
Finding Inspiration in Success Stories
Immersing yourself in the stories of successful individuals can provide invaluable motivation and insights. Here’s how to make the most of these narratives:
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Choose Relevant Biographies:
- Action Step: Select biographies or memoirs of individuals whose achievements resonate with your own goals. For example, Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs offers lessons in resilience and innovation.
- Benefit: Learning from those who have achieved what you aspire to can provide a roadmap and inspire you to adopt similar strategies.
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Identify Key Lessons:
- Action Step: As you read, highlight or note down the strategies and mindsets that contributed to their success. Pay attention to how they overcame challenges and stayed focused on their objectives.
- Benefit: Understanding the specific actions and attitudes that led to their achievements can help you apply similar principles to your own projects.
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Apply the Insights:
- Action Step: Reflect on how you can incorporate these lessons into your own projects. For instance, adopt Steve Jobs' emphasis on vision and perseverance to tackle your obstacles with determination.
- Benefit: Translating insights into actionable steps ensures that you not only gain knowledge but also implement it effectively.
Example in Action: Reading about Steve Jobs' journey, you learn the importance of maintaining a clear vision despite setbacks. Applying this, you might set more defined goals for your projects and stay committed even when facing difficulties.
Ignite Your Creativity: How Reading Fuels Innovative Thinking
Diving into a variety of books can ignite your creativity and help you connect seemingly unrelated ideas. Here’s how to leverage reading for innovative thinking:
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Explore Diverse Genres:
- Action Step: Don’t limit yourself to one type of book. Exploring different fields provides unique perspectives.
- Example: Tim Ferriss, in "The 4-Hour Workweek," draws inspiration from both ancient philosophy and modern entrepreneurship to create innovative solutions.
- Benefit: Exposure to a wide range of ideas can spark creativity and lead to unique problem-solving approaches.
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Create Mental Bridges:
- Action Step: Actively look for connections between different concepts as you read.
- Benefit: This practice can lead to breakthrough ideas in your own projects by combining insights from various disciplines.
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Engage in Reflective Thinking:
- Action Step: After reading, take time to reflect on how the new information relates to your current work. Journaling your thoughts can help solidify these connections and inspire novel solutions.
- Benefit: Reflective thinking ensures that you internalize and apply the knowledge gained, enhancing your creative output.
Real-World Example: Tim Ferriss’s "The 4-Hour Workweek" showcases how drawing from various disciplines can lead to unconventional business strategies. By integrating lessons from both ancient philosophers and contemporary entrepreneurs, Ferriss developed unique productivity hacks that have inspired millions.
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Adopt a Growth Mindset:
- Action Step: Read books like Carol S. Dweck's "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" to explore the idea that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
- Benefit: Embracing a growth mindset allows you to approach challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
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Stay Motivated:
- Action Step: Regularly read about the experiences and successes of others to keep your motivation levels high.
- Benefit: Learning how others have overcome obstacles can inspire you to persist through your own challenges.
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Gain Fresh Perspectives:
- Action Step: Continuously read diverse materials to gain new ideas and viewpoints.
- Benefit: New perspectives can keep you inspired and innovative, preventing stagnation in your thinking.
Example: Reading "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck helps you adopt a growth mindset, transforming how you approach challenges and setbacks by viewing them as opportunities to grow.
P.S. You Don't Need to Remember Everything You Read
It’s not necessary to retain every detail from what you read to benefit from it. Focus on these aspects instead:
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Absorb Key Insights:
- Action Step: Engage with the material and identify the main ideas that resonate with you.
- Benefit: Focusing on key insights ensures that the most important information sticks with you.
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Apply What Matters:
- Action Step: Implement the strategies and principles that align with your goals, rather than trying to memorize every detail.
- Benefit: Applying relevant insights leads to tangible improvements in your routines and productivity.
Real-World Example: In "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, you might not remember every habit-building strategy, but the core concept of making small, consistent changes can transform your routines and productivity.
Incorporate Reading into Your Daily Routine
Making reading a consistent habit can transform your motivation and focus. Here are practical steps to seamlessly integrate reading into your daily life:
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Set a Reading Goal:
- Action Step: Decide on a specific number of books to read each month or allocate a set time each day for reading, such as 15 minutes before bed.
- Benefit: Establishing a clear goal keeps you committed and ensures regular engagement with new material.
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Create a Dedicated Reading Space:
- Action Step: Designate a quiet, comfortable area in your home solely for reading. Equip it with good lighting and minimal distractions.
- Benefit: A consistent environment signals your brain that it’s time to focus, enhancing concentration and enjoyment.
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Carry a Book Everywhere:
- Action Step: Keep a book, e-reader, or audiobook app on your phone to utilize downtime effectively, such as during commutes or while waiting.
- Benefit: Making reading accessible ensures you can take advantage of spare moments, increasing your overall reading time.
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Join a Book Club or Reading Group:
- Action Step: Participate in a local or online book club to discuss your readings with others.
- Benefit: Sharing insights and hearing different perspectives can deepen your understanding and keep you motivated to read regularly.
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Track Your Progress:
- Action Step: Use a journal or a reading app to log the books you’ve read and jot down key takeaways.
- Benefit: Tracking your progress reinforces learning and provides a sense of accomplishment, encouraging continued reading.
Additional Tip:
- Integrate with Your Routine: Pair reading with an existing habit, such as having your morning coffee or winding down before sleep. This creates a natural trigger, making it easier to maintain consistency.