Many of us stumble through life paying attention only to what we absolutely have to and marginally noticing everything else. This low ability to focus creates prob- lems in organizing and remembering information and makes it difficult to finish tasks. Focusing intently on a particular project, new skill, or task hones your brain’s ability to absorb, order, and retain information. Paying close attention, re- ally focusing, essentially keeps your brain sharp and pliable. But what is focus?
Your brain has three types of focus, which researchers call attention:
1. Selective attention, which you use when you’re doing one task and filtering out other input—filing your nails is an example of selective attention.
2. Divided attention, which you use when you have to pay attention to several sources of input—crossing a street is a good example. You have to pay atten- tion to where you’re walking and look out for cars at the same time (in reality your brain switches between these tasks).
3. Focused attention, which you use when you concentrate on one task for a long time—writing a lengthy report without interruption, for example.
Focused attention is the type of focus that most people mean when they talk about having trouble focusing. But the fact is, researchers say people actually struggle more with tasks that require divided attention because it is more tiring for the brain. Research shows that the best way to build all of these types of focus is through practice—so practice crossing the street, filing your nails, and writing that report without getting distracted by Facebook, the television show you’d rather be watching, or your neighbor’s yappy dog.