Focus - Our Minds Are Being Hijacked

Mind Matters by Gordon Bruin

**ShowNotes:**

1. **Focus and its importance**: In this episode, we delve into the concept of focus as explored in Yohan Hari's book "Stolen Focus", discussing how social media platforms manipulate our attention, leading to anxiety and superficial thinking.

2. **Creating yourself**: We discuss George Bernard Shaw's quote about life being more about creating oneself rather than finding oneself.

3. **Influential figures and their focus**: The conversation moves on to Steve Jobs' autobiography, Phil Knight’s account of Nike history, and Brandon Webb's "Total Focus". We dissect how these influential figures used intense focus to shape Apple and Nike respectively.

4. **Mindfulness amidst distractions**: The significance of mindfulness in maintaining quality thoughts amidst distractions is highlighted with reference from Gary Keller's book emphasizing the importance of single-minded pursuit for success.

5. **Deliberate practice & Emergent mindset**: Clayton Christensen’s insights on deliberate practice - repeating fundamental tasks until excellence is achieved - are discussed alongside an emergent mindset which recognises adaptability towards set goals as key to success.

6. **Adapting to change**: A discussion on knowing when it’s necessary to pivot directions based on experiences or unexpected circumstances using a narration from Christensen himself who ended up loving his career as professor though initially dreaming of becoming Wall Street Journal editor.
7. **Setbacks paving way for prosperity**: Marcus Aurelius’ perspective that setbacks can pave way for greater prosperity is analysed highlighting opportunities emerging from adversity if mindful decisions are made daily.
8. **Exercise & self-care impact:** Importance of exercise and self-care along with consequences neglecting them brings like compound interest effect are emphasized.
9 .**Powerful reading:** Reading hundreds books broadens exposure beyond personal experiences – Jim Mattis suggests avoiding incompetence by learning through others’ experiences; mirroring neurons help us deeply understand what we read – almost lost skill today according to Yohan Harry’s book "Focus".
10. **Teaser for next episode**: The final part of the podcast teases a discussion on how reading can be vital for survival and broaden our experiences beyond personal ones, in the context of Yohan Hari's claim that 85-88% of high school students don't read books anymore.