They’re intentionally designed to suck you in for more: Cable TV news, “reality” shows, Amazon, Facebook, Linked-in, Instagram, YouTube, and a billion links on the internet. Just one more click. Let the auto-play on the next video reel you in for another 12 minutes. Pay attention, because after the commercial break you’ll learn what that megastar is doing on their holiday. These companies invest billions exploiting every one of your psychological weaknesses to capture your attention – because they know it works.
Likewise, we’re driven to consume information in our overflowing inboxes, Slack channels, and instant messaging. We get another hit of dopamine when we hit refresh 114 times a day to see if there is a new email message. There is surely someone who needs our attention or has something critical you need to see right now.
This pattern of consume-consume-consume leaves us run down, frustrated with life, irritated with others, and with warped ideas about ourselves. Leaders must be smart consumers, just as athletes pay attention to food as fuel. Develop a mindset of being a selective consumer of information. [Read more…] about Extraordinary Leaders Focus More on Creating than Consuming