Attention is not an abstract idea to Adler. It's a system to him that he actively trains. He and many others are in good company when it comes to controlled focus
Josh Adler argues that in today's digital age, the most valuable currency in business is not time or capital, but controlled attention. Amid constant digital distractions, true focus has become scarce, and controlling one's attention can offer a significant business advantage. Adler highlights the need for rethinking productivity beyond traditional time management and treating attention as a more flexible and powerful resource. He draws from neuroscience and psychology to emphasize the importance of controlled focus, suggesting that mastering attention is crucial for achieving depth and clarity in work.
Adler offers practical strategies to counteract mental overload and improve focus by redesigning schedules and environments. This includes reducing distractions, grouping cognitively demanding tasks, scheduling recovery time, and prioritizing meaningful goals. He likens focus training to athletic discipline, noting that detecting distraction and swiftly refocusing is key.
Adler stresses protecting attention like equity, acknowledging the "invisible tax" of distractions. He advocates measuring the ROI on focus invested in high-value work, supported by evidence that enhancing cognitive control yields significant long-term benefits, including resilience, adaptability, and creativity.
His principles are applied by companies like Google and Atlassian, which report increased innovation and employee satisfaction. Adler suggests that leaders set the tone for focus within teams, proposing a cultural shift towards deeper focus and intentionality, which he believes can transform leadership and creativity. Ultimately, Adler's message is that learning to control attention is crucial for building lasting success.