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Regaining Focus With a Deep Reading Practice • Zettelkasten Method

SystemSystem
edited 2:15PM in Project: Zettelkasten.de
imageRegaining Focus With a Deep Reading Practice • Zettelkasten Method

Our ability to focus is under attack. Remove the harmful stimuli, introduce beneficial ones. Daily deep reading is has a high return on the time invested, and it doubles as the front end of the Zettelkasten Method.

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Comments

  • docrameousdocrameous

    This is a really good article. I think a secondary challenge is that if you use a digital tool for your Zettlekasten, you need to similarly create a distraction-free zone there too. Distraction in terms of what other tools on your computer might be competing for your attention, but also what mode are you in while you are in your slip box? What is the definition of done on a slipbox note, but what can rest until you feel it is settled? Part of the joy of being in the slipbox is the rabbit trails, but also that is not the best thing to do if I am trying to build a bit. I'm still working that out and enjoying the oscillation.

  • harrharr
    edited 8:09PM

    @Sascha said:
    I don’t understand why headlines like The Film Students Who Can No Longer Sit Through Films aren’t inciting moral panics.

    They are. :-) We are having legal initiatives worldwide for phone bans in schools and age restrictions for social media.

    And we know that we're dealing with addiction. One professor in the Atlantic article is reminded of "nicotine addicts going through withdrawal during screenings" when he sees students trying to not check their phones.

    Have you read Dopamine Nation (2021) by Anna Lembke? It uses the opponent-process theory to explain some of the attention-destroying behaviors. The core idea is that pain and pleasure counteract each other. The experience of pain makes it easier to experience pleasure. As human beings we need both, pain and pleasure, in a certain amount. Your morning routine aligns with Lembke's recommendations. Starting with pain (exercise, cold showers) releases pleasurable feelings and makes you more receptive for the joys of focused reading.

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