The Attention Economy: Where High Performers Invest Wisely

Many of us obsess over ROI for financial investments in our work and personal lives, but rarely audit where our most valuable resource, “our attention,” flows.

Executives who note and master focusing their attention consistently outperform those whose attention is fragmented.

I track attention like others track market indicators. I notice when I have someone's attention and when I'm losing it, competing with alerts on their screen, or anything else in their field of vision.

I'm equally vigilant about where my attention lands – and what I need to do to lock it in when it doesn’t stick the landing.

The hard truth is that when our attention is divided, our impact dissolves proportionally, whether it is our productivity or influence as leaders.

James Clear, of Atomic Habits fame, has a quote that captures this perfectly:

"The more control you have over your attention, the more control you have over your future. And it starts with having enough courage to protect your time. 

It's so easy to say yes. We want to be agreeable, helpful, and liked. That's how time disappears and attention fragments: not in big chunks but in a thousand small concessions. 

What you trade your attention for is what your life becomes."

Protecting and controlling our attention is more than just a concept; it’s a powerful strategy for ensuring that our time and energy are invested in things that truly matter. It’s about stepping back and asking:

How much of your attention are you giving away unconsciously? Or because you didn’t want the discomfort of telling someone NO.

When you find yourself stretched thin, juggling multiple tasks, torn between competing demands, and drifting off, pause and audit your behaviour. Ask yourself two questions. These questions can help you regain control of your focus and guide you toward making intentional choices that align with your goals and values.

If you’re giving something half your attention, ask yourself:

• Is this a task I should be doing?

If you’re giving someone half your attention, ask yourself:

• Why?

Start a conversation with yourself and see where it takes you. If you lack the time or attention for a few moments of self-talk, that’s a message in itself.

My next blog, A Critical Conversation with Yourself: Investing Your Most Valuable Asset, provides an example of how the dialogue might unfold.

Invest your full attention on where you are focusing yours.

And then read mine. My inner dialogue may be a bit more sarcastic than yours.