Are you unable to concentrate while reading? Discover the reasons why.

With the Reader Focus I have a clear goal: to help you regain the superpower of concentration while reading. Now, it's time to put on our detective suits and start investigating. I've always believed that to solve a problem, we must first understand it thoroughly.

So let's start with the most obvious question:

Why, exactly, does our mind seem to take on a life of its own just when we most need it to stay still between the lines of a text?

Let's explore the roots of distraction together, both those that come from the world around us and those that originate in our own inner universe. Get ready for some revelations about how your brain works and to identify your personal "attention stealers."

This text is partly from a course I'll be launching soon on concentration and reading improvement. Sign up for the newsletter and don't miss it!

The science of attention: A limited and capricious resource

Imagine your attention as a spotlight—just like the name of this section. You can direct it wherever you want, but it has its peculiarities. Scientists often talk about different types of attention, but for our purposes, let's focus on three key ones:

1. Sustained Attention: We can say that it is the ability to keep that focus of light fixed on a single task for an extended period. It is the star of the show when we talk about reading a bookIt's the one that allows us to follow the thread of a complex plot or absorb the details of a story. And yes, it's precisely the one we seem to struggle with the most these days.
2. Selective Attention: It is the ability to stay focused on a task despite from distractionsThink of reading in a noisy coffee shop or ignoring the buzzing of your phone while trying to understand a dense paragraph. It's like adjusting the intensity of a spotlight so that the important things shine brighter than the background noise.
3. Divided Attention (or Multitasking): It's the attempt to distribute the focus among several tasks simultaneously. I'd venture to say this is more of a myth than an efficient reality, especially for complex tasks like reading comprehension. It's like trying to properly illuminate two rooms at once with a single spotlight; neither receives the light it needs.

Now then, Why does our focus seem so uncontrollable? Our brain, a product of millions of years of evolution, is programmed to look for two things: novelty and securityIn the past, paying attention to a new noise in the bush (novelty) could mean the difference between life and death (safety). Do you see the significance?

Today, that same programming makes A vibrant notification or a flashy headline hijacks our focus with astonishing ease. They are signals of novelty that our brain instinctively interprets as potentially important.

Remember the word "hijack." It's crucial to understanding much of the problem.

Also, our brain loves the instant gratificationSocial media, short videos, games… all deliver small, consistent doses of dopamine (the pleasure and reward hormone).

Deep reading, on the other hand, It requires sustained effort and the reward is usually more long-term. (comprehension, knowledge, enjoyment of the plot). Our modern brains, accustomed to a quick rush, often become impatient with the slower pace of reading.

Understanding this should not serve to resign us, but rather to be aware of the battle we are fighting. It's not that you're "bad" at concentrating.; is that your brain is responding to an environment and instincts that do not always favor deep reading.

This book has helped me understand much of what I'm talking about.

The Battlefield: When the World Conspires Against Your Book

If attention is a focus, the The outside world often seems intent on agitating or diverting himIt will be very helpful to identify those external saboteurs who want to hijack your attention:

1. The "Digital Tyrant"

He's suspect number one (and you know it). Notifications (visual, audible, vibrating), the constant temptation to check email, social media, or the news…Each alert is an interruption, a micro-context change that breaks the reading thread.

I'm sure it's even happened to you. That anticipation A notification can destroy your attention. Simply having your phone in sight, even if it's on silent, has been shown to reduce available cognitive capacity.

2. The physical environment

Maybe the problem is how you read. Are you trying to read with the TV on in the background? In a messy room that reminds you of a thousand to-dos? With constant interruptions from family members, roommates, or pets?

Noise, lack of a quiet space, and direct interruptions are obvious obstacles. A chaotic environment creates a mental load additional that competes for your attention resources.

3. The invisible pressure

We live in a culture that often values immediate response and constant availabilityYou may feel internal (or external) pressure to always be "on" and respond to messages instantly.

This expectation can make disconnecting to read feel almost like an act of rebellion or even generate anxiety ("What if I'm missing something important?"). You know, the old-fashioned FOMO…

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These external factors are not trivial and you must become aware of them. They create constant friction which makes it extremely difficult to find and maintain the state of flow necessary for immersive reading. Don't underestimate them.

The Inner Battle: The Noise Inside Your Own Mind

And as you have surely noticed, sometimes, The biggest obstacle is not outside, but insideOur own mind can be a very noisy place and is responsible for our inability to concentrate when reading:

1. The murmur of worries

Stress, anxiety, to-do lists, worries about the future or ruminations about the past… All of this "mental noise" consumes an enormous amount of attentional energy.

If your mind is busy rehearsing a difficult conversation or reviewing the shopping list, there is very little space left to follow the plot of a novel or understand a complex concept.

2. The body speaks

As always, it's a good idea to ask yourself questions. Do you try to read when you're exhausted after a long day? Did you sleep poorly? Are you dehydrated or hungry? Our physical condition has a direct and brutal impact on our ability to concentrate..

Fatigue reduces the brain's executive function (which manages attention), Lack of sleep clouds thinking And poor nutrition or hydration can leave us feeling sluggish and distracted. Stop ignoring your body's basic needs. It's like trying to drive a car without gas...

3. Subtle (or not so subtle) disinterest

Let's face it, sometimes a book just doesn't grab us. Maybe the subject matter doesn't appeal to you, the author's style doesn't resonate with you, or you're reading out of obligation. I've already talked about this.

You have to have a desire to read. A lack of genuine interest causes the mind to actively seek any excuse to escape. Motivation and curiosity are essential fuels for sustained attention.

4. The untrained muscle

As we mentioned before, concentration is like a muscle. Just like the muscles you use to lift heavy things or walk, If you don't use them, they will end up atrophying and stop working as they should..

You spend so much time jumping between tasks, consuming fragmented information, and avoiding activities that require prolonged focus, that muscle weakens. Lack of regular deep reading practice makes each attempt more difficult, creating a vicious cycle: As it is difficult, you avoid it, and as you avoid it, it becomes even more difficult.

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Be honest and become aware of them. These internal factors are often more insidious than external ones, because we aren't always—or don't want to be—aware of their impact until we find ourselves rereading the same paragraph over and over again.

The Great Multitasking Deception and Why Trying to Read and Do Something Else at the Same Time Doesn't Work

We've been sold the idea that multitasking is efficient. But as on many occasions, we've been lied to once again. The reality, especially for cognitively demanding tasks like reading, is very different.

What we call "multitasking" is not doing several things at once, but rather rapidly switching focus between them.

Every time you switch (for example from reading your book to looking at a message and back to the book), your brain pays a "switching cost"«. It takes time and energy to disconnect from one task, orient yourself to the new one, and then return to the original, trying to remember where you left off.

These constant changes:

• They drastically reduce understanding: It's much harder to follow a story or grasp nuances if your attention is fragmented.
• Errors increase: You're more likely to misinterpret something or miss important information.
• Increase the total time: Although it may seem counterintuitive, trying to do two things "at once" often takes longer than doing them sequentially with full concentration.
• They generate mental fatigue: Constantly shifting gears depletes your cognitive resources much faster.

Trying to read while watching TV, following a conversation, or intermittently checking your phone is a recipe for frustration and superficial reading. Deep reading, by its very nature, requires dedicated attention.

So no. We can't do two things at once.We can do two things one after the other very quickly, but nothing more.

Do your distraction self-diagnosis

Let's do a practical exercise.

Now that we've explored the possible causes, it's your turn to become your own attention detective. Take a few minutes (without distractions, of course) to reflect and write down your answers to these questions.

Be as honest with yourself as possible, because if you aren't, all of this won't be worth it. This is the first step to creating an effective action plan.

1. Time and Place: When and where do you usually try to read? What is that environment typically like (noise, interruptions, order/disorder)?
2. The Digital Factor: What role do your devices (phone, tablet, computer) play when you're trying to read? Are they nearby? Are they muted? Are you tempted to look at them? How often do you interrupt your reading to check them?
3. Your Internal State: Before you start reading, how do you usually feel physically and mentally? (Tired, stressed, relaxed, hungry, anxious?) What kinds of thoughts usually run through your head while you read?
4. Reading Material: Do you find yourself more distracted by certain types of books or texts? Do you read more out of obligation or pleasure lately?
5. The Habit (or Lack of It): How often do you read continuously (more than 15-20 minutes at a time)? Do you find it difficult to get going or maintain a pace?
6. Multitask: Do you try to combine reading with other activities? Do you try to do several things while reading? Which ones?
7. Identify your top 3: Based on your answers, what would you say are the top three "attention stealers" that most frequently sabotage your reading? (e.g., phone notifications, fatigue, work worries).

Keep these notes. They will be your starting point and a valuable reference as I release more articles on the subject.Recognizing your specific distraction patterns is essential to choosing the strategies that best suit you.

You'll see more depth in the ebook I'll be releasing soon.

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And finally, I want to congratulate you. My clear goal is to make as many people as possible aware of this "attention hijacking" that you are facing. —we see ourselves—subdued and trying to nullify it. And this has been your first step.

You've completed the initial diagnosis. You now have a much clearer understanding of the internal and external forces competing for your attention when you try to read. You already have a conscience.

You might even feel a little overwhelmed seeing all the open fronts, but don't worry! Knowledge is power and with that power you will do great things. It's just a matter of getting started.

I'll continue with theory in action soon. We'll begin building your "fortress" against distractions, preparing the ideal physical and mental stage for focused reading to flourish. Ready to start taking control? See you soon.

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