SoBrief
Books Productivity Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus
How to Manage Your Attention in a World of
Distraction
by Chris Bailey 2019 256 pages
3.89 8k+ ratings
Productivity Self Help Psychology
Listen 9 minutes
Key Takeaways
1. Manage your attention deliberately to
boost productivity and creativity
Your attention is the most powerful tool you have to live a
good, productive life.
Attention is finite. Our brains can only process about 40 bits of information
out of the 11 million bits we receive each second. This limited attentional
space is crucial for both productivity and creativity. By managing our
attention deliberately, we can focus more deeply on important tasks
(hyperfocus) and allow our minds to wander productively (scatterfocus).
Intentional attention management leads to:
Increased productivity
Enhanced creativity
Clearer thinking
Greater engagement with work and life
More meaningful experiences
Reduced stress and overwhelm
To improve attention management:
Set clear intentions for tasks
Eliminate distractions proactively
Practice meta-awareness (noticing where your attention is)
Alternate between periods of deep focus and intentional mind-
wandering
2. Hyperfocus: Concentrate on one
important task at a time
When you hyperfocus on a task, you expand one task,
project, or other object of attention . . . so it fills your
attentional space completely.
Hyperfocus boosts productivity. By focusing intensely on one important
task, you can accomplish more in less time. This state of deep
concentration allows you to work more efficiently and effectively, especially
on complex or creative tasks.
To enter hyperfocus:
1. Choose one important task
2. Eliminate distractions
3. Focus completely on the chosen task
4. Continuously bring your attention back when it wanders
Benefits of hyperfocus include:
Increased work quality
Faster task completion
Deeper learning and understanding
Enhanced problem-solving abilities
Greater sense of accomplishment
3. Tame distractions to enhance focus
and productivity
Distractions are infinitely easier to deal with before they
become a temptation.
Proactive distraction management. Our brains are wired to seek novelty,
making distractions particularly tempting. By eliminating potential
distractions before they occur, we can maintain focus more easily and for
longer periods.
Strategies to tame distractions:
Create a distraction-free mode (e.g., blocking websites, silencing
notifications)
Keep your phone out of sight or in another room
Use noise-canceling headphones
Set specific times for checking email and social media
Simplify your physical and digital environments
Remember: Every time you resist a distraction, you're training your brain to
focus better in the future.
4. Scatterfocus: Let your mind wander
intentionally for creativity
Scatterfocus is the most creative mode of your brain.
Intentional mind-wandering. While hyperfocus is crucial for productivity,
scatterfocus is essential for creativity, problem-solving, and future planning.
By allowing your mind to wander deliberately, you create space for new
connections and insights to emerge.
Three types of scatterfocus:
1. Capture mode: Let thoughts flow freely and write them down
2. Problem-crunching mode: Hold a problem loosely in mind while letting
thoughts wander
3. Habitual mode: Engage in a simple task while allowing your mind to
roam
Benefits of scatterfocus:
Enhanced creativity and problem-solving
Better future planning
Increased self-awareness
Improved emotional processing
Recharging of mental energy
5. Set strong intentions to work on what
matters most
Intention should always precede attention—in fact, the two
ideas pair perfectly.
Deliberate task selection. By setting clear intentions for what you want to
accomplish, you're more likely to focus on important tasks rather than
getting caught up in busywork or distractions.
Techniques for setting strong intentions:
Use the Rule of 3: Choose three main tasks to accomplish each day
Identify your most consequential tasks
Create implementation intentions (specific when-then plans)
Schedule important tasks during your peak energy times
Benefits of strong intentions:
Increased productivity on meaningful work
Reduced procrastination
Greater sense of purpose and accomplishment
Better alignment between daily actions and long-term goals
6. Expand your attentional space
through mindfulness and meditation
Meditation is simple—sit somewhere with your eyes closed
and pay attention to your breath.
Mental capacity building. Regular mindfulness and meditation practices
can increase your working memory capacity, allowing you to hold and
process more information simultaneously. This expanded attentional space
enhances both focus and creativity.
Benefits of expanded attentional space:
Improved ability to focus on complex tasks
Enhanced creativity and problem-solving
Reduced mind-wandering during focused work
Increased meta-awareness (noticing your thoughts)
Better emotional regulation
Start with just a few minutes of daily meditation, focusing on your breath.
As you practice, you'll find it easier to maintain focus and notice when your
mind wanders.
7. Recharge your attention with
strategic breaks
The more often we scatterfocus to replenish our mental
energy, the more energy we have for our most important
tasks.
Deliberate rest. Taking regular breaks is crucial for maintaining high levels
of focus and productivity throughout the day. Strategic breaks allow your
mind to recharge and can even spark creativity.
Guidelines for effective breaks:
Take a break at least every 90 minutes
Aim for about 15 minutes of break time per hour of work
Choose activities that are low-effort and enjoyable
Disconnect from work-related thoughts during breaks
Effective break activities:
Going for a walk, especially in nature
Listening to music
Meditating
Engaging in a creative hobby
Having a meaningful conversation
Remember: The busier you are, the more important it is to take regular
breaks.
8. Collect and connect valuable "dots" of
information
We are what we consume.
Intentional information consumption. The quality of information you take in
directly affects your ability to make creative connections and solve
problems. By deliberately seeking out valuable "dots" of information, you
enhance your mental library for future use.
Types of information to consume:
Useful: Actionable, relevant to your goals, long-lasting value
Balanced: Both useful and entertaining (e.g., well-written non-fiction)
Entertaining: Fun but less practical (use sparingly)
Strategies for collecting valuable dots:
Read widely, especially outside your field of expertise
Engage in meaningful conversations
Take courses or attend workshops
Expose yourself to diverse experiences and perspectives
Remember: Your creativity is limited by the information you've collected.
Expand your mental library to enhance your creative potential.
9. Work around your energy levels for
optimal performance
You're the most productive when you dedicate your energy-
rich moments to your most complex, meaningful tasks.
Energy-aligned productivity. Our energy levels fluctuate throughout the
day, affecting our ability to focus and be creative. By aligning your tasks
with your natural energy rhythms, you can optimize both productivity and
creativity.
Strategies for energy-aligned work:
Identify your Biological Prime Time (BPT) for focused work
Schedule complex, high-priority tasks during your BPT
Use lower-energy periods for creative tasks (Creative Prime Time)
Take breaks when you notice your energy dipping
Remember: Working with your natural energy rhythms allows you to
accomplish more with less effort and stress.
10. Invest in happiness to enhance focus
and creativity
Happiness is the rose-colored lens we place atop our
attentional space, which allows us to relate to our
experiences in a more productive and creative fashion.
Positive productivity. A positive mood expands your attentional space,
making it easier to focus deeply and think creatively. By intentionally
cultivating happiness, you can enhance both your productivity and your
overall well-being.
Science-backed strategies to boost happiness:
Practice gratitude (e.g., list three things you're grateful for daily)
Engage in regular physical exercise
Invest time in meaningful relationships
Meditate or practice mindfulness
Perform random acts of kindness
Benefits of happiness for productivity and creativity:
Expanded attentional space
Increased ability to overcome challenges
Enhanced problem-solving skills
Improved memory recall
Greater resilience in the face of setbacks
Remember: Investing in your happiness is not just good for your well-being
—it's also a powerful productivity tool.
Review Summary
3.89 out of 5
Average of 8k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.
Readers generally praise Hyperfocus for its practical advice on
managing attention and increasing productivity. Many find the
concepts of hyperfocus and scatterfocus enlightening, appreciating
the balance between concentrated work and creative mind-
wandering. While some critics feel the book repeats common
productivity advice, most readers find value in Bailey's science-based
approach and easy-to-implement strategies. The audiobook narration
by the author is also well-received.
About the Author
Chris Bailey is a renowned productivity expert and bestselling
author. His first book, "The Productivity Project," has been translated
into eleven languages. Bailey's work focuses on helping individuals
and organizations increase productivity without sacrificing well-
being. He regularly speaks at conferences and writes about
productivity on his website, Alifeofproductivity.com. Bailey's
approach combines scientific research with practical experiments,
making his advice both credible and accessible to a wide audience.
