We live in an attention economy.
The onslaught of attacks on our ability to focus is never-ending:
- Notifications
- Advertisements
- Infinite social scrolling
This reality makes carving out time and space for deep thought difficult, but it is critical if we want to create meaningful work and live a more fulfilled life.
This was the backdrop to my conversation with Greg Bennick on this week’s Content Creators Unite! podcast. Greg is a keynote speaker, author, and avid coin collector who has learned to focus amidst chaos.
The Allure of Distraction and “the Spectacle”
One of the major problems we discussed about the attention economy is something Greg calls “the spectacle.” In the 1960s book Society of the Spectacle, author Guy Debord first shared this concept. “The spectacle” comprises all the images that surround people that make them feel as though they are living, even though they aren’t.
Greg suggested to me that Debord would be “spinning in his grave like a turbine” about TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook posts, and text messages.
Unfortunately, Greg told me, “There is no way through the spectacle…It is going to distract you and consume you and leave you feeling lifeless.” But, he says, you can opt out of it strategically by turning off all but essential notifications, deleting distracting phone apps, and turning off devices at planned intervals.
Finding Calm Amidst the Chaos
This led into our second conversation point: how to find calm amidst the chaos of life. “Find calm,” Greg counsels, “because when we find calm, we create space for possibility amidst that moment.”
One of the best ways to do this, according to Bennick, is to find passions outside of work. Greg is an avid coin collector, and not only does it bring joy and calm to his life, but it helps him feel more inspired, creative, and focused when he does return to his work.
Writing as a Process of Discovery
Given his outlook, it’s no surprise that Greg decided on a unique process to write his book, Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now. He locked himself away in a room and wrote for 16–18 hours a day!
He did stress to me that he knows this is atypical and not a winning strategy for everyone. But he argues that the key is to find what works for you—especially on a project as difficult and time-consuming as writing a book.
“It’s a process of stepping into a space and you don’t know exactly where you’re going to end up.” Greg told me. “And it’s scary and confusing and you don’t know what you’re doing. But as long as you keep your fingers on the keys and keep typing, you’re going to end up with something.”
Going Deeper with Greg Bennick
If the attention economy is dragging your productivity down, stealing your calm, and keeping you from progressing in your goals, you’ll want to catch my entire interview with Greg, which you can do below.
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