How to stay focused in the world of TikTok
If there’s one resource on the internet that can be called Internet Gold, it’s got to be user attention. There are multiple creators producing content and all of them are looking for new viewers. With countless sources of entertainment at our fingertips, it's become increasingly difficult to focus on any one thing. This has given rise to what experts are calling the "focus epidemic".
Recent studies show that modern attention spans are lower than ever. We’ve gotten used to jumping around from app to app and account to account - looking for the next piece of entertainment.
Focus is the number 1 most sought-after skill in 2023.
We’re getting constant entertainment from apps like Tiktok and our brains have gotten used to this dopamine-rich virtual world. It’s a struggle to get back to normal since we’re so stimulated all the time.
But don’t despair.
The Forte team has put together this guide to help optimize your focus. We’ve borrowed from scientific literature and industry advice. After careful distillation, we’ve boiled the advice down to two powerful tips that’ll help you achieve a monk-like focus. Here they are:
Tip #1: Break the 24/7 "dopamine drip"
If you find yourself reaching for your phone all the time, do this first. Turn your phone’s screen black and white. It might seem like a simple tip but it’s incredibly powerful.
Former Design Ethicist at Google Tristan Harris talked about how your phone is engineered to be addictive and attention-grabbing, much like a Casino slot machine. One reason for this is the use of colors. Our brains are naturally drawn to bright and vibrant hues, making it harder for us to put down our phones.
Going grayscale will turn the photos and videos black and white. Suddenly everything on your phone will seem bland. Instagram becomes boring, the videos will seem less exciting, and social media will lose its visual appeal. You’ll find yourself using your phone only to check your messages and email.
Tip#2: Parkinson's Law + Leveraging yourself
According to Cal Newport, it's possible to produce exceptional work in fewer hours instead of toiling away for the whole day. The secret is to set up your calendar correctly.
Start by identifying the most important tasks you need to complete each day. Then, schedule specific blocks of time in your calendar to focus on them. To make the most of your deep work time, create a ritual-like routine around each 'block'. This can include turning off your phone, finding a quiet space to work, or 'officially' beginning work by starting a 30 mins timer.
If you’ve done all this, you’ll end up with a routine that keeps guesswork to a minimum. You won't have to waste time and energy deciding what to do next. We're creatures of habit and the more you follow your routine, the easier it'll become to get down to work.
That's it from our end. Two actionable tips to increase your focus. One to reduce screen time and the other to optimize your work output. Overall, by implementing these two productivity tips simultaneously, you'll be able to take control of your time and achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Now go out and get it. We're rooting for you.
- Forte Team