Welcome to Weekly Wisdom. Every Thursday, we send you a thoughtful piece of wisdom designed to help you live a life of purpose. If you were forwarded this message, you can sign up to receive the free weekly email here.
You’re spending your attention wrong
Plus, Cardi B on blocking out hate and owning your power
Research in Psychology shows that your attention span is a limited resource, just like money. The idea was popularized by Daniel Kahneman’s “Capacity Theory”, which states that we have a limited capacity for attention.
And like money, you can spend it wisely, or you can waste it.
In the same way successful people invest in ideas they believe in, you can invest your attention in activities that reward you in the long run.
Investing in your physical health.
Investing in your relationship with your family.
Investing in developing that reading habit.
Now think about the way you spent your attention this morning.
Did scrolling on social media feel like an investment? Or a waste?
I’m not bringing this up to make you feel guilty. I’m offering a chance for awareness. If you can be mindful of where your attention goes, what psychologists refer to as cognitive control, you can take control of your life in hugely positive ways.
IF MINDFULNESS IS ATTENTION IN MOTION, MUSIC MIGHT BE ONE OF ITS PUREST FORMS
THIS ISSUE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FLOWKEY
Think like a musician and practice mindfulness through music.
flowkey gives you all you need to play the songs you love on piano – whatever your level. Start learning from scratch with step-by-step courses, or dive right into the sheet music library and choose from thousands of pieces across all genres, including Classical, Film & TV, Pop, and Jazz. You can follow along with a professional pianist, practice each hand separately, and play sections on repeat until you’ve mastered them – Flowkey listens to your playing and waits for you to find the right notes. Wherever you’re starting from and whatever your learning style, you can make real progress on the piano – and you only need 10 minutes a day.
Ten minutes a day is all it takes to make real progress and to experience how focus, patience, and music come together.
Stop wasting your attention
Studies have shown a link between cognitive control and factors like success and life satisfaction. It also predicts life satisfaction more than income or IQ. So today, let’s flex that muscle, ASAP.
Try This: List 5 things you do every day that waste your attention. You know what they are: scrolling social media, giving your energy to relationships that drain you, caring too much about what others think about you.
Now, list 5 things that you can replace those activities with that are investments. Meditating. Reading. Working out. Call your friends.
Just like budgeting your money, it may be difficult at first. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
On Monday’s episode of the podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with the reigning queen of hip-hop, Cardi B, all about her journey from a poor kid in New York to being one of the most successful hip-hop artists of her time. We talked about relationships and the challenges of balancing motherhood and work.
It’s been over 7 years since Cardi B released an album, and we talked about that journey and how she feels about her new release, Am I the Drama? In the end, it’s a conversation about fulfilment, work, love, and raising kids who can surpass your level of success.
If you want to feel inspired, learn practical tools, and hear powerful stories, listen to On Purpose on Amazon Music. Follow On Purpose on Amazon Music for the full podcast episode and future episodes.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
What is the investment that feels most urgent and exciting to you? Reply to this email right now and tell me how you’re going to invest your attention this week.
Last week, I challenged you to tell me about a way you could offer support to someone in your life.
Reader Shirlyn responded, saying
"I'd like to show care for my family by assisting their lives with a more accessible living area.... So I think I'm going to tackle that with clearing, sorting and packing things in ways that will make the space more comfortable for them. I know this will have to be done with consideration for their preferences, so I'm gonna make this a project. And hopefully it will show them I care."
That’s a beautiful way to serve your family, Shirlyn, and I hope it’s well-received.
Reader Swati said,
“I want to be a steady presence in someone’s circle: a patient listener, honest encourager, and someone who actually shows up. I can offer time (to listen or help with small tasks), practical advice when asked, and check-ins so no one feels alone.”
That’s a beautiful intention, Swati. Whoever receives that will be very lucky.
THIS ISSUE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY FLOWKEY
Learn to play the songs you love on piano – whatever your level. flowkey gives you all you need to learn at your own pace and make real progress: step-by-step lessons, interactive learning tools, instant feedback on your playing, and thousands of songs covering all genres.
How’s your attention bank account doing?
Disclaimer: This email and podcast content are for educational and inspirational purposes only and are not intended as psychological, medical, or therapeutic advice. If you’re experiencing challenges related to attention, focus, or mental health, please consult a qualified professional. Coaching is not therapy and should not replace professional mental health care.
