A Life Well Lived
I remember when Jane Goodall visited ISA - it was such a treat for the students and teachers to meet her, and to learn about her important work. Although it saddened me to see her passing this week, we can also celebrate that she certainly lived a life filled with joyful purpose. She is known for saying, "You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make".
Jane Goodall was famously focused on her work, and respected due to her conservation efforts - the happiness that radiated from her was genuine - I truly enjoyed talking with her during her visit to our school. In today’s distracted digital world, her life work reminds us to reclaim our attention for good.
Jodie Jackson, a cognitive coach, studies the topic of reclaiming our attention, and she has some good ideas for grounding our focus:
Know what’s stealing your focus
The first step to protecting your focus is to become aware of the apps, habits or environments that are distracting you. Once you see what’s hijacking your attention (and how often), you can start to take action. Begin to observe in real time.
Guard the gates of your mind
Design your environment to protect your attention. Start by setting boundaries with your devices. Turn off non-essential notifications, create no-phone zones in your house, and plan blocks of uninterrupted time for deep focus, whether that’s work or play.
Have a clear and meaningful intention
Boundaries are important, but the most powerful way to protect your attention is to have a strong intention. When you have a clear purpose that you’re emotionally connected to and are pursuing with passion, distractions lose their grip. Instead of relying on willpower or discipline, intention pulls you forward. With a strong why, focus becomes almost effortless.
Have a lovely, and intentional weekend!
Warm regards,
Valerie DeGraw
School Counsellor
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