Podcast appearances and mentions of amishi jha

418. Why You Can't Pay Attention—And How to Get It Back with Dr. Amishi Jha Director of Contemplative Neuroscience and Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami, Dr. Amishi Jha joins us to discuss how we can cultivate and develop our attention in a way that allows us to maximize the meaning, fulfillment, and joy in our lives.  -The three types of attentional systems –and how we use them in our daily lives; -Why attention is a limited resource – and how to make the most of it; -Why multitasking is a myth; and -A mindfulness practice to fuel your attentional capacity in just 12-minutes. Dr. Amishi Jha, PhD is Director of Contemplative Neuroscience and Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. She leads research on the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance in education, corporate, elite sports, first-responder, and military contexts. In her national bestseller, Peak Mind she shares her discoveries on how attention can be trained for optimal performance and well-being.  For the Peak Mind book, go to: https://amishi.com/books/peak-mind For the Peak Mind Interactive app, go to: https://peakmind.media/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Check out the full episode here: https://pod.fo/e/283b56

In stressful times, what if the key to mental and emotional well-being was not a mystery, but a set of daily, accessible practices that you could start today? In this special compilation episode we've curated guidance from some of the world's leading voices in the science of wellbeing—including Dacher Keltner, Kristin Neff, Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz, Judith Moskowitz, Marisa Franco, Amishi Jha, and Oliver Burkeman—to explore how awe, self-compassion, relationships and mindfulness shape our lives and minds. You'll learn how experiences of awe can dramatically improve immune health and reduce anxiety; why self-compassion trumps self-esteem for lasting mental strength; how healthy relationships are not only the greatest predictor of happiness but even protect against physical illness; and how intentional mindfulness combats stress and boosts attention. Through science and lived experience, this episode offers a toolkit for building a more connected, reflective, and flourishing life of greater mental well-being. Show Notes Similar Episodes: Kristin Neff Curt Thompson Meghan Sullivan Heather Holleman Kelly Corrigan Transcript Want more NSE? Join NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes designed specifically to help you live a good life, ad-free listening, and early access to tickets to our live shows. Great Feeling Studios, the team behind No Small Endeavor and other award-winning podcasts, helps nonprofits and brands tell stories that inspire action. If your organization has a message that deserves to be heard, start your podcast at helpmemakeapodcast.com. Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com See Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy Amazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program desi… Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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Order my newest book Make Money Easy! https://lewishowes.com/moneyyouCheck out the full episode: greatness.lnk.to/1178Dr. Amishi Jha, Professor of Psychology and Author shares the secret to becoming a high performer in every area of your life.Sign up for the Greatness newsletter: http://www.greatness.com/newsletter

In this episode, Dr. Amishi Jha explores how to stop losing your mind (literally) and the surprising science of attention. She shares how mastering your mind isn’t about more effort, it’s about understanding how attention really works. You’ll learn how to train the three systems of attention (the flashlight, the floodlight, and the juggler), why mindfulness isn’t just a trend but a mental upgrade, and how to reclaim your focus—12 minutes at a time. Key Takeaways: How your attention isn’t broken; it’s just overwhelmed. Understand the three key attention modes Embrace how mindfulness strengthens attention Learn the concept of reframing and deframing and why this is so important Discover the relationship between stress, mood, and attention Uncover the micro-moments in your life and why they matter If you enjoyed this conversation with Amishi Jha, check out these other episodes: Stolen Focus and Attention with Johann Hari How to Focus and Accomplish Goals with Emily Balcetis For full show notes, click here! Connect with the show: Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPod Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Follow us on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attention and focus may be at the top of every employer's list and every woman's dating requirements. We live in a society that highly values attention and praises anyone who can focus long enough to accomplish the seemingly impossible. Yet, many of us continue to struggle with both. Mindfulness is viewed as something that would be nice but very few are actually mastering the practice of being present and attentive in the here and now. With stress and overwhelm overtaking us at every turn in the day our minds are flooded and vulnerable to digital attacks and sabotage initiated by our own self. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at University of Miami and author of the new book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day. She's joining Lisa to dispel the rumours that improving your attention and meditation skills means that you have to clear your mind. She's calling it out, and giving simple strategies and techniques you can start using before this episode ends. It's time to take back your attention, regain your focus and do it in 3 simple steps. [ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 1-12-22]. SHOW NOTES: Attention | Amishi reveals while attention can be a superpower it is vulnerable too [0:36] Prioritized Info |How attention systems helps to prioritize information into subsystems [5:08] Suppressing Memories | Amishi shares ways to stop thinking about troubled memories [10:46] Floodlight Focus | Information that is not limited but has a broad and receptive range [12:49] Emotional Overwhelm | Strategy to manage emotions and overwhelm from 3rd person [15:32] Hijacked Focus | When we create a simulated reality and are not in the present [20:29] Executive Control | Amishi on the power of your mind's attention being guided by goals [29:51] Overriding Attention | Mindfulness of your attention requires initiating executive control [32:20] Meditation | How mindfulness meditation is about staying present without the extra story [34:34] Becoming Aware | Amishi shares simple exercise to find your attention flashlight [43:05] Wandering Mind | Amishi on why you don't need to clear your mind, redirect instead [49:35] Well Wishing Practice | Deliberately speak to deep care and concern to yourself [52:55] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Audible: Sign up for a free 30-day trial at https://audible.com/WOI  Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com and entering promo code WOI at check out.  Quince: Check out Quince: https://quince.com/woi LISTEN TO WOMEN OF IMPACT AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:  apple.co/womenofimpact FOLLOW LISA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/womenofimpact Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisa_bilyeu?lang=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can mindfulness—a practice often associated with calm and stillness—really make soldiers more resilient, focused, and mission-ready? This week we're joined by Lieutenant General Walter Pyatt, a fervent advocate for mindfulness in the military, and Dr. Amishi Jha, a celebrated neuroscientist whose research unveils the life-changing benefits of mindfulness practices. Together, they illuminate how mindfulness is reshaping military training and operations, offering tools for mental resilience, enhanced focus, and calm amidst the storm. Our guests share compelling anecdotes from their journeys, highlighting how mindfulness can transform the lives of service members and veterans, fostering a new understanding of mental strength and preparedness. The conversation underscores mindfulness as a powerful tool for optimizing human performance, offering soldiers a renewed sense of purpose and enhancing their ability to navigate the psychological impacts of military life. Listen in to discover how these practices are being integrated into the fabric of military culture, fostering better operators and individuals from within. (00:00) - Mindfulness in the Military (04:45) - Benefits of Mindfulness in the Military (12:06) - Mindfulness and Military Preparedness (20:03) - The Warrior's Path (29:12) - Performance Enhancement in Military Mindfulness (41:12) - Mindfulness in Military Transition and Recovery (46:42) - Supporting Veterans Through Mindfulness (51:20) - Advancing Mindfulness in the Military --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mentalkingmindfulness/support

In this episode, Dr. Amishi Jha discusses how to find focus and master attention. She explores the concept of a peak mind, emphasizing the balance between action and reflection and also highlights the different modes of attention. The conversation also delves into practical strategies for improving attention and cognitive function that emphasize the impact of mindfulness practices on attention and overall well-being. In this episode, you will be able to: Unlock peak focus and attention through mindfulness meditation Master stress reduction with powerful mindfulness practices Uncover the cognitive neuroscience behind sharpening your attention Elevate your situational awareness with proven strategies Enhance your tactical skills with the remarkable benefits of mindfulness To learn more, click here!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meditation: an ancient practice with brain health benefits proven by modern science. Whether you're focusing on your breathing to quieten peripheral distractions or using mindfulness to rebalance your emotional reactivity to everyday stresses, practicing meditation can spark long-term neuroplastic changes that will help you feel more attentive and calm in everything you do. In ‘Your Brain On... Meditation', we explore: • How meditation alters your brain chemistry and ‘retrains' your broader nervous system • The neuroscience of attention and focus, including your default mode and salience networks • Using mindfulness to break phone addiction, reduce stress, improve relationships, and practice self-care • The studies which highlight the long-term cognitive benefits of meditation • How we can all make time for meditation, no matter how busy our schedules • The limitations and risks of meditation apps Joining us for this important conversation are three fantastic guests: DR. AMISHI JHA, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami, a pioneer in the study of mindfulness and attention, and the author of the acclaimed book ‘Peak Mind' DR. CLIFFORD SARON, a neuroscientist and Associate Research Scientist at the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis, renowned for his work on the neurobiological effects of meditation DR. HELEN LAVRETSKY, a Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and a leading researcher in geriatric psychiatry, who has extensively studied the effects of meditation and yoga on mental health and aging ‘Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: https://brainhealthinstitute.com/ ‘Your Brain On... Meditation' • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 4 — LINKS Dr. Amishi Jha: Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0062992155/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr= On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amishipjha/  On Twitter: https://x.com/amishijha  Dr. Clifford Saron: Center for Mind and Brain: https://mindbrain.ucdavis.edu/people/clifford-saron  Dr. Helen Lavretsky: At UCLA: https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/helen-lavretsky Study on yogic meditation for dementia caregivers: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423469/

Sam Harris speaks with Amishi Jha about attention and the brain. They discuss how attention is studied, the failure of brain-training games, the relationship between attention and awareness, mindfulness as an intrinsic mental capacity, the neurological implications of different types of meditation, the neural correlates of attention and distraction, the prospects of self-transcendence, the link between thought and emotion, the difference between dualistic and nondualistic mindfulness, studying nondual awareness in the lab, the influence of smartphones, the value of mind wandering, and other topics. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe. Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That's why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life's most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Share this episode: https://www.samharris.org/podcasts/making-sense-episodes/380-the-roots-of-attention Sam Harris speaks with Amishi Jha about attention and the brain. They discuss how attention is studied, the failure of brain-training games, the relationship between attention and awareness, mindfulness as an intrinsic mental capacity, the neurological implications of different types of meditation, the neural correlates of attention and distraction, the prospects of self-transcendence, the link between thought and emotion, the difference between dualistic and nondualistic mindfulness, studying nondual awareness in the lab, the influence of smartphones, the value of mind wandering, and other topics. Dr. Amishi Jha, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she cofounded in 2010. She received her PhD from the University of California, Davis, and did postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Her work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and the Pentagon, and she’s been covered in The New York Times, NPR, Time magazine, and Forbes. With grants from the Department of Defense and several private foundations, she leads research on the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance. Dr. Jha’s national bestseller, Peak Mind, describes her work with a variety of high-demand groups, from special forces, elite athletes, and first responders, to teachers, business and medical professionals, and students. Her forthcoming app, Pushups for the Mind, will be available to U.S. military service members in the fall of 2024, and for public release in early 2025. Website: https://amishi.com/ Twitter: @amishijha Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Our guest today says that for 50% of our lives, we are not paying attention to what we're doing.In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, many of us are coming to terms with the fact that our capacity for paying attention is laughably weak. Our work, mental health, and relationships suffer because of it. But what if there was a tried-and-true way to change this, something like “push-ups for your brain?”Neuroscientist Amishi Jha has dedicated her career to studying this question, and the results are in. In this episode, she describes the practice of mindfulness meditation - why it can work for everyone (not just the spiritual folks), and how it only takes 12 minutes each day to reach one's “Peak Mind.”Show NotesResources mentioned this episode:Peak Mind by Amishi JhaSimilar No Small Endeavor episodes:Naomi Shihab Nye: The Life Changing Benefits of Paying AttentionCharles Duhigg: The Power of HabitKristin Neff: The Power of Self-CompassionDacher Keltner: How Awe Will Transform Your LifePDF of Lee's Interview NotesTranscript for Abridged EpisodeJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Where do you place precious brain resources? The human brain's attention system is the success story of what makes us unique as human beings. Because attention fuels our ability to think, to feel, and connect, what we pay attention to is our life. For a long time, throughout our evolutionary history, the brain began to suffer from a very big problem which is that there's far more information out in the environment than could be fully processed. Attention ended up becoming a very useful solution because it allows us to prioritize information, but there are qualities of the human experience that disable attention. Given how powerful attention is, we need to really respect where we place this precious brain resource. Chapters For Easier Navigation:- 0:00 introduction 1:27 power of attention 2:38 the challenges of attention 4:38 what is meta awareness Up Next ► How to enter ‘flow state' on command   • How to enter ‘flow state' on command ...   ---------------------------------------------- About Amishi Jha: Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis and postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Dr. Jha's work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She has received coverage in the The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Forbes and more. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Big Think | Smarter Faster™ ► Big Think The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century. Go Deeper with Big Think ►Become a Big Think Member Get exclusive access to full interviews, early access to new releases, Big Think merch and more ►Get Big Think+ for Business Guide, inspire and accelerate leaders at all levels of your company with the biggest minds in business ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today says that for 50% of our lives, we are not paying attention to what we're doing.In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, many of us are coming to terms with the fact that our capacity for paying attention is laughably weak. Our work, mental health, and relationships suffer because of it. But what if there was a tried-and-true way to change this, something like “push-ups for your brain?”Neuroscientist Amishi Jha has dedicated her career to studying this question, and the results are in. In this episode, she describes the practice of mindfulness meditation - why it can work for everyone (not just the spiritual folks), and how it only takes 12 minutes each day to reach one's “Peak Mind.”Show NotesResources mentioned this episode:Peak Mind by Amishi JhaSimilar No Small Endeavor episodes:Naomi Shihab Nye: The Life Changing Benefits of Paying AttentionCharles Duhigg: The Power of HabitKristin Neff: The Power of Self-CompassionDacher Keltner: How Awe Will Transform Your LifePDF of Lee's Interview NotesTranscription LinkJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

How to see through the lies that surround us. Up Next ► How to catch a liar (assuming we want to)   • How to Catch a Liar (Assuming We Want...   The world today feels like it's a constant VUCA environment: Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. The shifting landscape, the bombarding of information toward us, and always having to work in sort of a 24/7 environment. This is problematic because we feel like we're all in a collective crisis of attention. So it's very important that we, as citizens of the world, understand what is true and what is false. A question that should be on our minds these days is: 'What is the role of attention in minimizing truth bias?' ---------------------------------------- About Amishi Jha: Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis and postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Dr. Jha's work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She has received coverage in the The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Forbes and more. ----------------------------------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Member Get exclusive access to full interviews, early access to new releases, Big Think merch and more ►Get Big Think+ for Business Guide, inspire and accelerate leaders at all levels of your company with the biggest minds in business ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Amishi Jha joins Joe to discuss her book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day . Amishi sheds light on the complexities of the brain's attention system to help us understand how we can navigate and enhance our focus in stressful and demanding jobs. In this episode Joe and Amishi discuss: How our attention shapes everything from emotions to relationships Challenges in maintaining attention in an information-saturated ageHow the attention system works The vulnerability of attention to stress and its impact on performanceInsights into memory and emotional regulation How mindfulness training helps strengthens our attention system A practical approach to mindfulness training for enhancing attention Whether you're struggling to stay present, looking to enhance your memory, or seeking solace in the whirlwind of the digital age, this episode promises to turn the light of your attention onto pathways that could lead to a calmer, more focused state of being. Learn more about Amishi's research in military cohorts here.Dr. Amishi Jha, PhD is Director of Contemplative Neuroscience and Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. Prior to her current post, she was an Assistant Professor at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.She received her B.S in Biological Psychology from the Universityof Michigan, her Ph.D in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) from the University of California–Davis, and her post-doctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University in functional neuroimaging.Learn more about her work here.Special thanks to this week's sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Connect Leadership With Action Across Distributed Formations With Mustr by Adyton. Mustr is your digital knife-hand for daily and rapid personnel accountability, real time response data visibility, and automated reporting. Learn more about what Mustr can do for your formation here! My favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here.   

Stop data brokers from exposing your personal information. Go to our sponsor https://aura.com/bigthink to get a 14-day free trial and see how much of yours is being sold. In this Big Think video, Luke Burgis, Todd Rose , and Amishi Jha explore the intricacies of social media's influence on human desires, opinion, attention, and overall mental health. The discussion encompasses the enticing nature of rapid opinion formation, the concept of mimetic desire and its amplification through digital platforms, and the profound implications of the 'Attention Economy' where user focus is commodified. They address the creation and consequences of digital illusions, offering a nuanced examination of social media's dual role as both a democratizing force and a potential source of toxicity. Through their analysis, Burgis and Jha provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges posed by online interactions and suggest mindfulness as a tool for individuals to regain control over their attention and desires in an increasingly digital world. This presentation serves as a critical reflection on the modern digital landscape and its effects on society. Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Member Get exclusive access to full interviews, early access to new releases, Big Think merch and more ►Get Big Think+ for Business Guide, inspire and accelerate leaders at all levels of your company with the biggest minds in business -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Luke Burgis: Luke Burgis is a veteran entrepreneur and author. He's the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship in Washington, DC, and the founder of Fourth Wall Ventures, an incubator that invests in people, art, and technology that contribute to a healthy human ecology. Luke studied business at NYU Stern before doing graduate work in philosophy and earning an S.T.B. in Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He's the author of the book Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life, which popularized the work of cultural anthropologist René Girard. He lives with his wife, Claire, in the DC area. About Todd Rose: Todd Rose is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. Prior to Populace, he was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the best selling author of Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average. He lives in Burlington, Massachusetts. About Amishi Jha: Dr. Amishi Jha is an internationally renowned neuroscience researcher, speaker, and author in the fields of attention, resilience, and mindfulness. She studies how to keep the brain's attention systems in peak shape over high-pressure intervals. Over the past two decades, she has conducted large-scale studies with the US Military, first responders, medical professionals, business leaders, elite sports teams, and more. Her research reveals that the science is clear: You can change your brain to become more attentive, present, and productive. About Big Think | Smarter Faster™ ► Big Think The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century. Get Smarter, Faster. With Episodes From The Worlds Biggest Thinkers. Follow The Podcast And Turn On The Notifications!! Share This Episode If You Found It Valuable Leave A 5 Star Review... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A neuroscientist explains how to master your focus. There is far more information in the environment than our brains can fully process. Our ability to maintain "attention" allows the brain to prioritize those parts of the environment that are most relevant. Attention is much more than just focusing. It fuels our ability to think, feel, and connect. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ About Amishi Jha: Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis and postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Dr. Jha's work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She has received coverage in the The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Forbes and more. Follow And Turn On The Notifications To Never Miss New Episodes From The Worlds Greatest Thinkers. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bigthink/message Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you noticed how easy it is to give your time away, even if it means committing to doing things you don't really want to do? In this solo podcast episode, I explore the topic of time stress and its implications on our overall well-being.   If you find yourself stressed about the many demands made of your time and worried about how you'll be able to tackle everything on your to-do list, I encourage you to listen in as I'll be sharing advice on how to protect your time and energy.    Specifically, we'll explore ways in which you can protect your time and energy by making some small, but significant changes. For example, we'll talk about how to make realistic plans with your time, developing organized systems for everyday home and work tasks, and learning how to say no to a request made of you.   I understand that learning to protect your time and energy is not easy, especially for those of us who are people-pleasers. This is why I encourage you to lean into the advice I share in this podcast. Additionally, make sure to check out more time and energy management tips in my second book, The Farewell Tour, as well as this podcast episode where I chat with Dr. Gloria Mark about getting over feelings of FOMO and regaining control of our attention span and this podcast episode where I chat with Dr. Amishi Jha about how we can develop “mental armor” against anxiety, distraction, and bias.   Like what you hear? Connect with me!  -Sign up for my newsletter and enjoy a free guide to flexible meal planning as a thank-you for -Check out my substack for bi-weekly tips on WTF to Eat and guided meditations for paid subscribers -Follow me on Instagram @jesscording   If you'd like to support The Drama-Free Healthy Living podcast, please share your favorite episodes with family, friends, and colleagues, and if you like what you hear, I invite you to leave a 5-star review on Apple podcasts HERE.    

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris Key Takeaways  A “peak mind” is a mind that has access to its full attentional awareness You must develop an awareness of the current state of your mind so that you can negotiate what is best to do next, based on that awareness Focus is the brain's orienting system; focus is like using a flashlight in a dark room When you think you are multitasking, you are just task-switching The data suggests that the advertised benefits of meditation can be achieved with about 12 minutes of meditation per day, done 4-5 days per weekThe goal of meditation is not to end mind-wandering, but to create a different relationship with it Allowing the mind to wander for some periods can be very beneficialRead the full notes @ podcastnotes.orgHow to stay focused, fight distraction, and function at your peak.Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. Dr Jha is the author of the national bestseller, Peak Mind. In this episode we talk about:What peak mind isWhy meta awareness is important to practice and achieve peak mindThe suite of mindfulness-based attention training practicesWhy humans developed attention in the first placeUsing the flashlight and floodlight metaphors to help us understand different types of attentionThe mental pushup for attention: focus, notice, and redirectThe attention benefits for high stress populations who engage in contemplatives practicesMultitasking vs. monotaskingThe real life and death consequences of confirmation biasPart of the reason why we may be experiencing a crisis of attention Giving our mind the freedom to choose where it goes nextRelated Episodes:Why You Can't Pay Attention - And How to Think Deeply Again | Johann HariSign up for Dan's weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/amishi-jha-rerun-2023See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to stay focused, fight distraction, and function at your peak.Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. Dr Jha is the author of the national bestseller, Peak Mind. In this episode we talk about:What peak mind isWhy meta awareness is important to practice and achieve peak mindThe suite of mindfulness-based attention training practicesWhy humans developed attention in the first placeUsing the flashlight and floodlight metaphors to help us understand different types of attentionThe mental pushup for attention: focus, notice, and redirectThe attention benefits for high stress populations who engage in contemplatives practicesMultitasking vs. monotaskingThe real life and death consequences of confirmation biasPart of the reason why we may be experiencing a crisis of attention Giving our mind the freedom to choose where it goes nextRelated Episodes:Why You Can't Pay Attention - And How to Think Deeply Again | Johann HariSign up for Dan's weekly newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular EpisodesFull Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/amishi-jha-rerun-2023See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you are interested in stopping compulsions using attention control, this is the episode for you.  I am really excited for this episode. This was a deep dive into really how to fine-tune your mindfulness practice for anxiety and OCD. Today we have the amazing Max Maisel, who is an OCD and anxiety specialist here in California. He came on to talk about these really nuanced differences of mindfulness, where we might go wrong with mindfulness, how we can get a deeper understanding of mindfulness, and this idea of attentional control. The real thing that I took away from this is how beneficial it can be at reducing mental compulsions, putting our attention on the things that we value, putting our attention on what we want to put attention on, not in a compulsive way at all. In fact, we addressed that throughout the episode, and it's just so, so good. I'm so grateful to you, Max, for coming on, and I just know you guys are going to love this episode. Now, we are talking about some pretty difficult things, like things that are hard to do. I even roleplayed and explained how hard it was for me to do it. I want, as you listen to this, for you to please practice an immense amount of self-compassion and recognition and acknowledgment of just how hard it is to do these practices and how we can always learn more. Hopefully, something in this episode clicks for you and feels very true for you and is hopefully very, very beneficial.  I'm going to go take you straight to the show because that's what you're here for. Have a wonderful day everybody, and enjoy this interview with Max Maisel.  Kimberley: Welcome. I am so excited for this episode, mainly because I actually think I'm going to leave learning a ton. We have the amazing Max Maisel here today. Welcome. Max: Thank you, Kim. It's really good to be here. I'm super excited for our conversation. MINDFULNESS FOR OCD  Kimberley: Yeah. Okay. You know I use a lot of mindfulness. I am a huge diehard mindfulness fan, but I love that you have brought to us today, and hopefully will bring to us today, some ways in which we can drop deeper into that practice or zone in, or you might say a different word, like how to focus in on that. Tell me a little bit about how you conceptualize this practice of mindfulness and what you use to make it more effective for people with anxiety and OCD. Max: Yes, for sure. So, I'm a major proponent of mindfulness practices. I use it myself in my personal life. I integrate it in the clinical work that I do with clients with OCD and anxiety. But one of the concerns that I've seen in my clinical work is that mindfulness is such a broad concept and it covers so many different types of psychological suffering. The research behind mindfulness is just like hundreds, maybe even thousands of studies. But when it comes to very specific and nuanced concerns like OCD and anxiety, it could be a little bit confusing for people sometimes to figure out, “Well, how do I apply this really healthy, beautiful, amazing tool to how my own brain is wired in terms of like sticky thoughts or just to engage in all sorts of compulsive behaviors.” I like to think about mindfulness from Jon Kabat-Zinn's definition at the core—paying attention to the present moment in a way that's non-judgmental and with this curious intentionality to it. But then within that, there's some really nuanced details that we can talk more about how to make that really relevant to folks with OCD and anxiety. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATTENTION & AWARENESS Kimberley: Tell me a little bit. When we're talking about mindfulness, we often talk about this idea of awareness. Can you differentiate first—and this is using some terminology just to set the scene—can you differentiate the difference between attention, awareness, and even a lot of people talk about distraction? Can you share a little bit about how they may be used and what they may look like? Max: I love that question. I think in a good OCD treatment, people really need to have a good solid understanding of those differences. I'm actually going to borrow from a neuroscientist named Amishi Jha. She's this incredible professor at the University of Miami. In her research lab, they look at the neurological underpinnings of mindfulness, and that very much includes attention and awareness. I highly encourage anybody to look up her work. Again, it's Amishi Jha. She talks about attention or focused attention. If you imagine there's a dark room, and if you turn on a flashlight and you shine that beam of light into that room and say that beam of light hits a vase on a table, again, what happens to that vase? What's different compared to all the things in the background? Kimberley: Is that a question for me? Max: Yeah. If you imagine a beam of light, what goes on with that? Kimberley: You would see the front of the vase, maybe it's a bit shiny, or you would see the shadow of the vase. You would see the colors of the vase. The texture of the vase. Max: That's exactly right. From this vivid and detailed, you can see all the different descriptions of it and it becomes privileged above everything else in the room. That vase is that beam of light. And then somebody might take that flashlight and shine it to the right a little bit, and then it goes from the vase, let's say, to a chair next to it. All of a sudden, that vase is still there, but it's fallen into the background. We might call that our awareness, which we'll talk about in a second. But then that table that we shine on or the chair is now privileged over the vase. That's how you can think about focused attention, is this beam of light. Whereas awareness, instead of a focused beam, you can think about that more as a broad floodlight where it's effortless, it's receptive, and you're noticing what is present in the moment without privileging one thing over the next. We're not focusing or hooked on anything particular in that room, it's just observing whatever comes up in the moment. Does that make sense? WHAT IS DISTRACTION?  Kimberley: It totally makes sense. Excellent. What about distraction?  Max: Distraction, when we think about that broad floodlight of awareness, where again, where what's privileges the present moment, distraction is trying to get things out of that. It's trying to suppress or not think about or get something that is in your awareness, outside of your awareness. But unfortunately, the trap that people fall into is in order to get something out of your awareness, what you need to do first is shine your beam of attention onto it. Inadvertently, while it might seem like a good idea in the short term, especially if it's something really scary, that pops up in your awareness like, “Oh, I don't want this. I want to get this thing out of my awareness.” But in doing that, you're literally shining your attention. That flashlight is right on the scary thing. The very act of trying to distract, trying to push it away actually keeps that thing going, which is why it can be so easy and so tricky to get stuck in these pretty severe OCD spirals by doing that. Kimberley: Right. If we were talking about mindfulness, and let's go back to that, are attention and awareness both parts of mindfulness? Give me how you would conceptualize that. Max: That's exactly right there, and that's what I was talking about where mindfulness is such a beautiful, helpful practice and term. But oftentimes when we say just mindfulness, people don't understand that there are really relevant parts of mindfulness that are actually applicable skills that we can practice getting really good and solid without shining that beam of light and focusing flexibly on aspects of our experience. We can get good at letting go of that focused attention and just being with what pops up in our awareness, which are very relevant practices when we have OCD or anxiety. But if we just say mindfulness as a whole, paying attention to the present moment, we could miss these really important nuances and actionable skills that are different parts of mindfulness. Kimberley: Let's go deeper into that. Let's say you have OCD or you have panic disorder, or you have a phobia, and your brain-- I was talking with my son who has anxiety and he was saying, “I keep having the thought. No matter how many happy thoughts I have, it just keeps thinking of the scary thought.” That's just a really simple example. How might you use attention versus awareness or attention and awareness for folks who are managing these really sticky thoughts, like you said, or these really repetitive, intrusive thoughts? Max: It's such a good question. OCD, I always talk about how clever and tricky it is. In order to get through OCD, we need to be even more clever, more tricky than OCD. One of the ways OCD gets people to fall into its trap is by confusing them. It gets people to try to control things that they cannot control, which is what pops up in their awareness, but it also blinds people and gets them that they can't see that there are things that are in their control. That will be really helpful, powerful tools, and OCD gums up the works a little bit.  MINDFULNESS & ATTENTION TRAINING To be more specific, there's an aspect of mindfulness that we can think of as attentional training or attentional flexibility. What that is, it's strengthening up the brain's muscles to be able to take control of that flashlight, of that beam of focused attention. OCD, what it's going to do, it steals it from you and shines it on the really scary stuff, like with your son, “Oh, here's a thought that you really don't like,” or “Here's a really uncomfortable sensation.” All of a sudden, that beam of light is shining there. What attention training does, it really teaches people to be able to first notice, “Oh, my beam of light is on something really scary. Okay, this is a thing. This is a moment to practice now.” But then more importantly, to be able to then take power back and be able to shine that flashlight in flexible ways that are in line with people's values and goals versus are in line with OCD's agenda. But attention training, it's not only getting really good and powerful at shining that beam of light on what you want to shine, but it's also the practice of letting go of control over the stuff that's in our awareness. We're going to practice and allow those scary thoughts and feelings. I treat them like a car alarm going off where it might be annoying, might be uncomfortable, but I'm not going to focus on them. I'm not going to pay attention to it, because otherwise there's going to be front and center.  It's both. It's awareness, it's being able to flexibly shift between different aspects of our experience, and it's also allowing things to go, and you're like that broader floodlight of awareness. I always find it really helpful to practice the skill of attention training on non-OCD, non-anxiety neutral stimuli. It's not too triggering. And then we can start applying that to anxiety. If it's okay with you, Kim, I would love to walk you through some quirky little easy exercises that just help you maybe understand what I'm talking about and hopefully your listeners as well. Kimberley: I was just going to say, let's do it.  Max: Let's do it. Let's dive in.  Kimberley: Let's roleplay this.  ATTENTION TRAINING EXERCISE Max: Okay. I want you to roleplay with me and if your listeners would like to roleplay as well, more than happy to follow along too. Again, these exercises, I don't see them as like coping skills. I see them as like creating an understanding of what we can control, what we can't control, and being able to just feel what that's like in our bodies and know that this is something that we can do.  For the first one, what I want you to do is put your thumb and index finger together, like you're making an okay sign. Put a little bit of pressure between your thumb and index finger, but not a whole lot of pressure. Just take a couple of seconds and see if you can put your brain into your thumb and your index finger and just notice what that feels like. Notice the sensations. Let me know when you feel like you've got a good sense of the feeling. Kimberley: Yep, I got it.  Max: What I want you to try to do is shine that beam of attention. Really focus in on the pressure only from your index finger and see if you cannot think about not engage in the pressure from your thumb, allowing that to be there. See if you can really find and identify what your index finger feels like. let me know when you've got that. Again, not thinking about your thumb, just focusing on your index finger. Kimberley: Yeah, that was hard, but I got it. Max: It is hard, right? Because what we're doing is honing in that beam of light that we're paying attention to. What I want you to do now is switch. Let your index finger, let that feeling go, and switch to your thumb. Again, only focusing on the pressure from your thumb and allowing your index finger, allowing that pressure to be there without thinking about it or controlling it. Just letting it exist, and then focusing on the pressure from your thumb. Kimberley: Yeah, I got it.  Max: We could do this for five, ten minutes. I won't make you do it right now, but you can see there and there's like a bump. There's a shift where you go from one to the other. It's great. It's not about getting into details, it's about noticing, “Oh, I can pay attention flexibly. I can focus on my index finger, allow the thumb feeling to be, and then I can switch to the opposite side.” That's one way that people can start understanding what I'm talking about, where we can flexibly pay attention while allowing other stuff to exist in the background. Kimberley: Let me bring up my own personal experience here because, like I said, I'm here to learn. As I was pushing, I actually had some pain in my thumb. As I was trying to imagine the top finger, that index finger, that was really hard because I have a little bit of ligament pain in my thumb. I had to work really hard to think about it. What was actually getting in the way was the thoughts of, “I won't be able to do this because of the pain.” What are your thoughts on people who are fighting that? Max: It's such an important piece of this because oftentimes what prevents people from practicing are these thoughts and beliefs that pop up. The belief of, “I have no control over rumination,” or “I cannot pay attention.” I'm saying this, and where we're stepping back and noticing these are thoughts, these are stories as well. Part of the practice is, can I see them as events of the mind? Can I see them as stories? Allow them to be in the background, just like we're maybe allowing the sensation of your index finger to be in the background while maintaining focus on that one part of your experience, your thumb. Again, we want to treat pain, thoughts, feelings, sensations as best as we can, allowing them, seeing them as mental events versus as distinct parts of who you are as a person while maintaining as best as you can that focused beam of attention on what you choose to. Kimberley: Right. This is really cool. Just so I understand this, but please don't be afraid to tell me I've got it completely wrong. As I was doing it, I was noticing the top of my index finger, doing my best, and in my awareness was the thoughts I had and the pain that I had. My attention was on the top, but there was some background awareness of all the other noise. Is that what you're saying? Max: That's exactly what I'm saying. The trick with OCD or anxiety is, can we allow the stuff in the background? Because a lot of people get annoyed or frustrated. And then as soon as you do that, that focus goes from your index finger to the stuff that you don't want versus if we can let go of control. Another way to think about it too is if you're looking out of a window. Focused attention would be, you are immensely engaging in this beautiful oak tree in your front yard. I don't have an oak tree, but hopefully, somebody does. Imagine you're really focusing on this oak tree, and that is what you're paying attention to.  Now, there might be other things that come and go. There might be birds flying and bushes in the background. There might be houses and a bunny rabbit running by. You could choose to then shift your beam of light from the tree to one of those things, but you don't have to. You can keep paying attention to the tree and allowing all this other stuff to exist. That would be what we're talking about and that's the practice you could do with your fingers. And then with that same metaphor, broader just overall awareness would be looking out the window, but not intentionally focused on anything. Just letting your eyes wander to whatever is present. “Oh, I notice the tree and I notice a cloud and I notice a bird. Oh, I noticed a thought that I've been looking out this window for a very long time.” We're not questioning, we're not ruminating, we're not judging, we're just simply being there with what's present. That's that broader awareness piece to this.  Kimberley: Okay. I love it. For those who have probably heard me talk about this, but not using this language, or are completely new and this is the first time I've ever logged in and listened to us, how may they apply this to specific intrusive thoughts that they're having? Can you walk us through a real example of this? You could use my son if you want, or an actual case of yours or whatever. Max: Yeah, for sure. If we think about it in this way, also, it's like a little bit of a different approach than maybe how some people think about exposure and response prevention. Because in this way of doing things, there's a really hard emphasis on the response prevention piece, which in this case would be not ruminating, not engaging in the mental compulsions. It's doing the exposure, which is triggering the scary thoughts and the feelings, and then accessing awareness mode, like being with what's present.  An example of that, let's just say somebody has an intrusive thought, a really scary fear that they might hurt somebody. They might be a serial killer or they might do something really bad. Let's say we want to do an exposure with that thought and we choose a triggering thought of, “I am a murderer.” Normally, when they have that thought, they do all this stuff. Their focused attention is on that thought, and they're trying to convince themselves they're not a murderer. They're trying to maybe look for evidence. “Did I kill somebody? I did not.” They're engaging in this thought, doing all this sort of stuff that OCD wants them to.  One way that we might use this difference in attention awareness, doing exposure would be to first evoke the scary thought. Maybe really telling themselves for a couple of seconds like, “I am a murderer. I am a murderer, sitting with the fear and the dread and all the stuff that comes up.” But then instead of focusing on it, then letting go of any engagement. We could just sit there and actually do nothing at all. We just watch and observe. Like you're looking out that window and that thought “I'm a murderer” might pop up, it might go away. Another thought might pop up. But we want to take this stance of, “None of my business.” We're going to sit here, we're going to observe, and we're not going to mentally engage in the thoughts. It's really accessing this more of like awareness mode. We can actually do something like that.  If you want to, Kim, we don't have to use an intrusive thought, but we can, again, practice with a neutral thought together and then apply what I'm talking about. Usually, what people realize is that what happens to their intrusive thoughts is what happens to 99.9% of all the thoughts they get in a day where it comes and then it just goes away when it's ready. If you think about it, we have thousands and thousands of thoughts per day. Mostly that's what happens because we're not focusing our beam of light on it, because we're not doing all this work that inadvertently keeps it around. It's exposure not only to sit with the feelings, but to practice the skill of letting go, of focusing on it, of letting go of any mental compulsive behaviors towards it. ATTENTION TRAINING VS DISTRACTON Kimberley: Right. I know this is going to be a question for people, so I'm going to ask it. How does attention training differ from distraction? Quite often, I will get really quite distressed messages from people saying, “But wait, if I'm being mindful on the tree, isn't that me distracting against my thoughts?” Can you talk about, again, differentiating this practice with distraction or avoidance? Max: Yep, absolutely. I like to think about it as an attitude that people take where we're willing to have whatever our brain pops up at us. With distraction, we're unwilling. We don't want it, we don't like it, we're turning away from it. But that's actually like, it's okay too. We call it distraction, we can call it engagement. It's okay to live your life to do stuff, but we have to first get really clear on, can I allow whatever my brain pops up to be there without then keeping that beam of attention on it? Because all mental rituals, all sorts of stuff that we do starts with focused attention. Summons, rituals are pure retention, but a lot of them like analyzing, reassurance, attention is a major part of them. If you can notice when our OCD took that beam of light and shined it, then we could practice taking the light off, allowing it to exist, allowing it to be there, but without engaging. If you want, Kim, I'm happy to maybe do another experiential exercise, not to throw too many at you today.  Kimberley: No, bring it on. Max: So maybe you and your listeners can understand that piece to it.  Kimberley: Yes, please.  ATTENTION TRAINING EXERCISE #2  Max: Okay. Lets start with attention training exercise #2. What we're going to do is we're going to practice engaging in what we might think of as a rumination, analytical way of thinking. Again, rumination, mental compulsions, they are a behavior. They're a mental action that we're taking that we could turn on, but we can also turn off. We want to be able to turn off mental compulsions throughout the rumination, but allow any thoughts and feelings to exist without doing anything about them. I know it sounds heavy, so let me show you what I mean by that.  Kimberley: Good.  Max: What I want you to do is think about a vacation or a trip that you either have coming up, or it might be like a dream vacation that you really want to take, and just take a second and let me know when you got something in mind. Kimberley: I got it. Max: You got it. That was quick. That was a good thing. What I want you to do is start mentally planning out the itinerary for this vacation, thinking about what you're going to do, all the steps you're going to take, just like doing it in your mind. And then I'll tell you when to stop. Okay. Stop. Now what I want you to do is let go of that engaging analytic way of thinking and just sit here for a couple of seconds. We're not going to do really anything. If the idea of the vacation pops up in your mind, I want you to allow it to pop up. But don't think about it, don't focus on it. Allow it to be there or not to be there. Just don't do what you were just doing where you're actually actively thinking about it. Are you ready?  Kimberley: Mm-hmm. Max: Okay. Again, we're just going to sit and we're going to observe. Whatever comes up, comes up. We're going to let it hover and float in your overall awareness without focusing on it.  Waves washing on the beach or just letting your thoughts and feelings come and go. We're not engaging, we're not thinking about them. We're just observing.  What I want you to do one last time, I want you to start thinking again, planning, going through the itinerary, thinking all the cool stuff you're going to do. As you're doing it, notice what that feels like psychologically to go from not doing to doing. And then start thinking about it, and I'll let you know when to stop again. All right. We can let go of the vacation. Again, just for five, ten seconds sitting. If the thought pops up, allow it to pop up, but don't engage in it. Don't manipulate it or actively walk through the itinerary again. Just notice what that's like.  Okay, Kim. I'd love to hear your experience walking through, turning it on the analytical way of thinking, and then turning it off and playing around with it a little bit. Kimberley: Okay. Number one, I immediately was able to go into planning. I think because I do this, this is actually one of the things I do at bedtime. I've planned my 91st birthday, my 92nd birthday party. That's what I love to do, so it was very easy for me to go into that. When I went back to more awareness of just what I noticed, I was actually able to do it really easily except of the thought like, “Oh, I hope I don't have the thought. I hope I'm doing this right.” Max: That's such a beautiful way, and the mind is going to do stuff like that. We're going to start thinking about thinking, and I'm curious how you respond to that thought. What you did next? Kimberley: I was just like, “Maybe I will, maybe I won't. What else?” And then I was like, “Well, there's Max and there's my microphone.” That was the work. Max: Yes. That's exactly what I'm talking about. We're not like, “Don't think about this vacation.” Because if we did that, what do you think that would do to you if you're just sitting there in that moment of awareness and be like, “This is not a good thought to have, I can't think about this upcoming vacation”? Kimberley: Well, I had more of them and I had distress about them. Max: Yeah, exactly. That's what I mean by we're not distracting, we're allowing, but we're also not analytically thinking about it. Now that we're talking about this, I think this is a really important piece on where mindfulness can get maybe especially confusing or even contradictory for people. Again, to preface this, I'm a huge mindfulness advocate and fan, but one of the issues about mindfulness for OCD, in particular, is that mindfulness is really in a lot of ways teaching it, it's about coming back to the present moment. I'm going to focus on my breath. I'm going to refocus to my body. I'm going to ground myself. Again, overall very healthy things to do, we should practice that.  But the problem about that is if applied directly to OCD mental compulsions—and again, just to be really clear by mental compulsions, I'm talking about anything that people do to try to feel better, cope with, resolve a scary, intrusive thought. Kim, your six-part series, let's say, on mental compulsions that you did is one of the best OCD contents I've ever seen. I think everybody should go back and listen to that, whether you have OCD or not. So, all this mental stuff that we do in response to a scary thought. Mindfulness can be really helpful in noticing when we get caught up and again, like flexibly shifting. But at the end of the day, sufferers of OCD really need to understand that you don't need to focus onto the present moment to stop doing mental compulsions. Because it's analytical, it's a behavior, it's a way of thinking. Just like you did, we can simply turn it on and then we can turn it off.  Now, I don't mean to say it's as easy as just don't do it. Obviously, it's not the case. This is complex stuff. There's so many psychological factors that lead people to ruminate and to do compulsions, but it's a simple idea. People need a foundation to understand that mental compulsions are a behavior that we have a lot more agency over than your OCD wants you to think. I like to think about when you look at more traditional, like contamination OCD, people might wash their hands a lot. It's the same thing where there's the behavior of washing your hands that you could do or you cannot do.  Now there's entire treatment protocols helping people chip away at that to not wash their hands, so it's not just like, “Don't wash your hands.” But people understand that the goal of this treatment is to, “I'm washing my hands too much and now I'm not washing my hands.” If you apply the same mindful logic to rumination, it would be like, “Oh, we're going to wash your hands, but you cannot wash your hands. You're just going to have to use wet wipes forever.” It's like, oh, I'll get maybe a step in the right direction. But people need to know that the goal here is to not wash your hands. Just like with more Pure O rumination type of OCD, the goal is to learn how to not ruminate. Learn how to step out of that. Kimberley: Yeah. I think you had said somewhere along the way that it's a training. It's a training that we do. What's interesting for me, I'll use this as solely example, is I am in the process of training myself to do what I call deep work, because I have two businesses, things are chaotic, and I can get messages all the time. When I sit down to do something, I'm being pinged on my phone and called on my computer and email bells, so I'm training myself to focus on doing the thing I'm doing and not give my attention to the dinging of the phone and so forth as a training. I'm trying to train myself to be able to go longer, longer, longer periods and hold my attention, which at the beginning, my attention, I could really only do like 15 minutes of that and it felt like my brain was going to explode. Would you say that this is a similar practice in that we're slowly training our brain to be able to hold attention and awareness at the same time and increase it over time?  Max: Yeah, absolutely. I think everything with OCD and anxiety is a process. First, it takes awareness, and that's where mindfulness can be so helpful, where the practice of mindfulness is about being more aware. “I'm aware, I'm ruminating. I'm aware of that. I'm doing some sort of compulsion.” That itself could take a very long time. I think it's all about baby steps.  Now, I will say though, Kim, some people, when I explain them these differences and they're able to really feel what it's like to be ruminating, what it's like not—some people click and they can do it really fast. They're like, “Oh my gosh. I had no idea that this is something I was doing.” Some people, it takes a very long time and there's a spectrum. I think everybody always needs to go at their own pace and some people are just going to need to work at it harder. Some people, it's going to come really easy and natural. There's no right or wrong way to do it. These are principles that live in the ERP lifestyle. We want to start taking little baby steps as much as we can. Kimberley: Right. For those listening and for me too, where it clicked for them, what was the shift for them specifically? Max: The shift was understanding that while it felt like rumination—again, a lot of this is like, think about OCD, there's this big unsolvable problem and they're trying to solve it. They're analyzing it, they're paying attention to it, they're focusing on it, they're thinking about it, for them to really feel that, “This is something that I am doing. I know there's reasons why I'm doing it, there's beliefs I have about the utility of ruminating, including beliefs that I can't control this, when really, we can't control it. Beliefs about how helpful it is.” There's a lot of reasons why people do that, but to recognize, “Oh my gosh, this is a thing that's a lot more in my control than I thought.” When they experience that stepping back and allowing their brain to throw out whatever it does without having to engage with it, game changer.  Also, in terms of classic mindfulness, think about mindfulness of breath. The instructions generally are, we're going to focus on, say the breath, the rise and fall of my belly. My attention goes, I'm going to come back to it. I think if we do that with a very specific intention, it could be so relevant and so helpful for OCD. That intention is seeing your brain as a little puppy dog. When you have OCD, that puppy dog is full of energy. OCD is like this mean bully that's thrown a tennis ball and getting that puppy dog to go.  What mindfulness of breath can teach you, if we're aware of this, we go into it like, “This is what I'm going to work on. This is how my OCD is getting me—it's getting me to follow these lines of thought.” When you're there sitting on your breath to be able to notice where your thought goes, be able to look at it, “None of my business. Come back to my breath.” To me, Kim, that is actually exposure and response prevention. You expose yourself to discomfort of not following the thought, which is really hard. For people with OCD, without OCD, that's hard to do, but like you said, that is absolutely a skill that people can get better at. STOPPING COMPULSIONS WITH ATTENTION TRAINING  Kimberley: Yeah, and it's response prevention. It's the core of that. Okay, I love this. I love this. Now, as we wrap up, is there anything that you feel we haven't covered here that will bring us home and dial this in for those who are hearing this for the first time or have struggled with this in the past?  Max: I think we did a pretty good job. I mean, it's very nuanced stuff. I like to see this for people that feel like their OCD is well enough managed, but there's still work to go. This is like icing on the cake. Let's really look at the nitty-gritty of how this works. Or if people are feeling really stuck and they're not knowing why, hopefully, this can shine a light on some of these less talked about principles that are really important.  But I guess the one final thing, going all the way back to Amishi Jha and her neurological research on mindfulness, really fascinating studies out of her lab show that 50% of the time, 50% of her waking day, people are not aware. They're not aware of what's going on, which means 50% of this podcast, people aren't going to be paying attention to. We can't take offense to that because it's 50% of any podcast. When you have that coupled with OCD's tendency to steal that beam of focused attention on scary stuff, it can be so devastating and so stuck for people. Hopefully, some of the stuff can give a sense of what we do about that and how we can start making moves against anxiety and OCD. Kimberley: Yeah, and compassion every step of the way. Max: Oh my gosh. I think everything needs to be done, peppered with compassion. Or maybe peppered is too level like in the context of full radical compassion. That's such an important part of all of this work. Kimberley: Yeah, because it's true. I mean, even myself who has a pretty good mindfulness practice, I was even surprised how much of mine was like, “Am I doing this right? What if I don't do it right? Will this work? How will it help me?” All of the things. I think that everyone's background noise, like you said, is very normal. I so appreciate you bringing this to the conversation, because again, I talk about mindfulness a lot. One other thing is, I will say when, let's say, someone has a somatic obsession or they have panic, and so they're having a lot of physical sensations. When you say “Come to the present,” they're like, “But the present sucks. I don't want to be here in the present.” What are your thoughts on that?  Max: Somatic OCD and panic, I think out of any themes or content when it comes to awareness and attention, those are the most relevant. If you think about somatic OCD, where people come obsessed about different parts of their perceptual experience, it's all about people trying to not be aware of things that they can't control, and then therefore they're aware of it all the time. I think this is especially spot on for those. It's helpful for all forms of anxiety, but that in particular, that's going to be-- we tend to not do exposures by hyper-focusing on what they're afraid of because that's compulsive. That's we're focusing on controlling more. This process should be effortless. When we're ruminating, when we're compulsing or paying attention, that's like you're on the treadmill. You're doing work, and just hopefully, people experience some of these exercises, all we're doing is getting off the treadmill. We want to be doing less, if anything. OCD is making you work for it. It's making you do stuff. We want to identify that and do a whole lot less. And then you'll forget about it usually until you don't. It's like, “Oh crap, here it is again.” And then, “Okay, cool. I just practiced. Let me do it again,” until it loses power more fully. Kimberley: Yeah. I so appreciate you. Tell us what people can hear about you. Max: I run a practice in Redondo Beach. We're called Beachfront Anxiety Specialists. We have our website. Again, my name's Max Maisel, and people can feel free to Google us and reach out at any time. Kimberley: Amazing. Thank you. We'll have all of your links in the show notes. I'm really, truly grateful. Thank you for coming on and talking about this. It is so nuanced, but so important. As I say to my patients, I could say it 10 times and sometimes you need to hear a similar thing in a different way for it to click. I'm so grateful. Hopefully, this has been really revolutionary for other people to hear it from a different perspective. I'm so grateful for your time.  Max: Thank you. It's such a privilege to be here with you and your listeners and I really appreciate you having me on today. Kimberley: Thank you.

It can be easy to think of practices like rewilding and mindfulness as being habits of only extra-zen, nature-based people. But if you're someone who likes to go outside or is building an outdoor habit, they are probably already a part of what you're doing, at least a little. So how can you do it more? And if you don't think you've added them, how can you make them happen while balancing a modern life? In this episode Micah Mortali, rewilding expert and dean of the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership, shares his insights and tips of rewilding, mindfulness and even meditation. Author of the book “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature,” Micah's extra-practical tips make a rewilding habit accessible for any outdoor-lover. Connect with this episode: Buy “Rewilding, Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature” by Micah Mortali (affiliate link) Follow Micah's school, Kripalu, on Instagram Listen to Brene Brown talk with Dr. Amishi Jha about productivity and meditation Visit Kripalu's website Follow Humans Outside on Instagram Join the Humans Outside Challenge Some of the good stuff: [1:52] Why this recording is a little different [2:41] Micah Mortali's favorite outdoor space [4:41] Amy's regular moment of mindfulness [5:16] What Micah thinks about that moment [6:34] How Micah became someone who likes to go outside [9:32] The spiritual connection of nature and how it's weird some religions are confused [10:55] Other Christian faith traditions and nature [13:42] What is “rewilding?” [20:45] How a nature draw plays out for city-dwellers [23:35] Mindfulness and task-focus in nature [29:56] The challenge of meditation for focused people [32:22] How rewilding and mindfulness fit into a daily nature habit [37:02] What the pandemic taught us about rewilding [40:27] Simple tips for rewilding and mindfulness in nature [42:47] Micah's favorite outdoor moment

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these episodes will be all about. Bitesized wellness wisdom for lifelong learners. So let's OPEN UP and satiate our minds. This brain snack  is all about hacking your attention and focus. This week I came across one of my newest favorite, short educational videos from Big Think. They sat down with neuroscientist Amishi Jha. I'm going to share with you how she tells us that we can hack and gain control of our focus and attention. Have you ever felt like your mind is wandering off in a million different directions? Do you struggle to focus on the tasks at hand or find yourself easily distracted by the endless temptations of modern life? Well, my friends, you are not alone! It seems like we live in an era where attention is the most precious currency. From social media notifications to cat videos, our minds are constantly being pulled in every direction imaginable. But fear not, for in the midst of this attentional chaos lies a powerful secret weapon: focused attention or it's more formal name, meditation! Ahh, meditation, the age-old practice that brings peace and tranquility to even the most frazzled of minds. But what if I told you that meditation is not just about sitting cross-legged and chanting "om"? What if I revealed that it's also a potent tool to hack your attention and unleash your focus?References:Big Think on YoutubeNeuroscientist Amishi Jha. "Revive your attention span in 12 minutes with neuroscientist Amishi Jha"https://youtu.be/YkYrQR8tFzk Brain.fm App(First month Free, then 20% off subscription)Discount Code: coachdamien_sdLinks:IG:@coachdamien_sd@damienrayevans@livinthedream_podcast YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS6VuPgtVsdBpDj5oN3YQTgFB:https://www.facebook.com/coachdamienSD/

"Pay attention to your attention." Amishi P. Jha came to her pathbreaking work studying the neuroscience of mindfulness and attention when, as a young professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania, she lost feeling in her teeth. She had been grinding them as a profound stress response to burnout from her responsibilities as a wife, mother, and tenure-track professor. Knowing from her academic work that the brain can change, she told herself at the start of summer, “before I quit my own career, let’s see if I can get my own brain to change.” She had just heard a talk about the power of meditation to change brain images from another neuroscientist. And although she had grown up in a Hindu family, born in the Indian city of Gandhi’s ashram – where meditation practice was “in the air” – she had never discussed it or practiced it (and her scientific mind had earlier dismissed some spiritual practices from her youth). But that summer, determined to see if she could change her brain, she bought a book by Jack Kornfield, Meditation for Beginners, with an accompanying CD. “I committed to reading a chapter each day and doing one of the practices, probably between eight and fifteen minutes. Within a couple of months, I was more present, more engaged. It got me thinking that there was something about doing this thing every day that was reacquainting me with my life. … Instead of being foggy and distracted, I was aware and connected. So I thought to myself, hey, wait a minute; I study attention. I need to figure out how this works.” She went to look at the scientific attention literature and found almost nothing.  So she decided to “put mindfulness meditation to the test and research it rigorously in the lab.” This was in 2004, “before mindfulness was even a thing in our popular culture, and people in my department warned that I’d be committing career suicide by researching this topic,” she recalls. She launched the first-ever study to offer mindfulness training tools to active-duty military service members as they prepared for deployment. What she has discovered is that without intervention, attention is compromised, and attentional lapses increase. Yet, with mindfulness training, attention can be strengthened and protected. As one of the first scientists to research the links between mindfulness and attention, she is known for her pioneering mindfulness work with soldiers, firefighters, medical trainees, and others for whom attention is a matter of life and death. With her book, Peak Mind, she has started bringing her healthy-attention message to parents, CEOs, accountants, teachers, managers—essentially anyone whose work and decision-making feels like life and death. Jha studies how we pay attention: the process by which our brain decides what's important out of the constant stream of information it receives. Both external distractions (like stress) and internal ones (like mind-wandering) diminish our attention's power, Jha says -- but some simple techniques can boost it and train it for greater focus and less distractibility. "Pay attention to your attention," Jha says in a TEDx talk that has more than 5 million views. Jha is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami, and Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. Working with the U.S. Army and others in extremely high-stress occupations, Jha uses functional MRI, electroencephalography (EEG) and other neurobehavioral measures to study how the brain pays attention, the mental effects of stress, and ways to optimize attention.  In addition to her own published body of research, her work has been featured in many outlets including TED.com, NPR, and Mindful Magazine. In addition, she has been invited to present her work to NATO, the UK Parliament, the Pentagon, and at the World Economic Forum. She received her PhD from the University of California–Davis, and received her postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University in functional neuroimaging. She studies the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion and resilience. Acknowledging the tension between offering mindfulness tools (founded on Buddhist principles of nonviolence) to active military, Jha recalls her own Gandhian roots: “Nonviolence is part of my core philosophical thread. Yet nonviolence does not mean inaction. It doesn’t mean you do nothing. Sometimes what you do to reduce violence and suffering is take action. ,,, [I]f a soldier has a machine gun that can destroy an entire village, I want to make sure that person has the capacity to really know what they’re doing and have full control over their faculties, to be able to withhold as appropriate, not be reactive. So a super soldier in many ways is one that can control when to not pull the trigger, not to just pull the trigger.” Please join Stephanie Nash and Birju Pandya in conversation with this researcher using her gifted scientific mind for action to help reduce suffering.

By harnessing the power of our attention, we can better meet life's demands. Our ability to focus and pay attention plays a crucial role in every aspect of our life - at work, at leisure and in our relationships. Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I'll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.Today's clip is from episode 218 of the podcast with Dr Amishi Jha - a neuroscientist and a professor of psychology at the University of Miami.Research shows that most of us are missing up to 50% of our lives through distraction and, in this clip, she explains how we can train our attention to improve our lives.Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreSupport the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/218Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

http://www.lewishowes.com/mindset2023 - Order a copy of my new book The Greatness Mindset today!   Dr. Amishi Jha, Professor of Psychology and Author shares the secret to becoming a high performer in every area of your life.   Check out the full episode: https://link.chtbl.com/1178-pod   Sign up for the Greatness newsletter: http://www.greatness.com/newsletter 

Simplify Your Sales and Business meetings. Lisa Thal is an Author, Speaker, and Business Coach. She has over 36 years of marketing, sales, and leadership experience. She wrote the book "Three Word Meetings."  Lisa coaches leaders on simplifying sales and business meetings with fun and interesting 3-word topics to create a conversation and inspire your sales team.   Episode 181,  7 Powerful questions to ask yourself about this year! We are days away from the new year. I think it is so important that we pause and reflect on the year. The time of year to reflect and gain perspective on what you discovered, learned, and connected to you.   Questions can help design the new year! Taking that time to pause and reflect is so powerful. I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts "On Purpose"  by Jay Shetty, where he shared seven powerful questions you can ask yourself before the year ends.    The questions help you get a clear insight into how this year went, the ups and downs, the special moments, and the things you might want to do away with or carry into next year. I spent time answering the seven questions over the holidays and thought you might find them helpful.     7 Powerful questions to reflect on and end the year with confidence.   What is the challenge that you've overcome this year?   What was something difficult you did or a breakthrough? Maybe something was holding you back, and you did it. It doesn't have to be significant. A follow-up question is, what did you learn from it? What did it teach you or your takeaway? I Experienced Vertigo. I woke up with the room spinning and not able to stand up. I had a strange ear infection that caused it. My takeaway from experiencing Vertigo is that I have compassion for those dealing with this all year. It reiterated to me that our health is everything!   What's a surprise you dealt with this year? Something you were not expecting. The reason is that studies show that reflecting on how you have overcome past challenges helps you process negative experiences in the future. You gain confidence that you navigated through a challenging experience, which will help you face future setbacks. Our dog Dakota passed away unexpectedly. I realized how much joy and happiness our fur kids give us. How heart-connected we are to our pets. How much unconditional love they give us every day.     What is something you bought this year? A tangible thing you bought this year that you love. What did you invest in for yourself? What did you spend money on that made you happy? Something simple I bought was Vurio joggers. Life-changing comfort, and I highly recommend them. Something else I bought was golf lessons. Thank you, Ashley, from Golf Tec, for helping me perfect my golf swing and putting stroke. I shot several times in the 70s because of our sessions. Let's celebrate what we spend money on that makes our lives more enjoyable.    What's the best book/podcast you read/listened to? My favorite book of the year was Peak Mind by Amishi Jha. She teaches you how to find your focus in a world of distractions. My favorite podcasts are On Purpose with Jay Shetty and Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. They teach valuable lessons about health, relationships, leadership, and how we impact others. I love these podcasts because they open my worldview and make me think about my life.   What are your blind spots for next year? We maybe go into recession next year. What can you do today to help you? It enables you to prepare versus avoiding what could happen next year. I know I can't control the economy, but I can control my Behavior and attitude daily. I want to focus on what is possible for our sales team and me. I want to support them. I would also add health again. What can you do each day to live a healthy life?   What made you the happiest this year? It is crucial because we tend to focus on challenging times and lose sight of happy ones. When we actively seek out these happy moments and celebrate them, they connect to our hearts and become points of inspiration in our lives.   The Bengals made it to the Superbowl, which made me happy. Hikes in the woods with Liv and our fur kids. Time with each other talking and appreciating the sounds and smells of nature. Our girl's trips to Hocking Hills and dinners together made me happy. Days of laughing, connecting away from the day-to-day demands. The time spent connecting with these fantastic ladies brings me happiness and gratitude. Who's the person you couldn't have gotten through this year without? From a work perspective Christine Mello, with whom I co-manage the team. I can't imagine this past year without her: her wisdom, support, in it together, and friendship. My wife, Olivia, is so important to me. Liv deeply knows me and my heart. She supports my vision of becoming a better version of myself. Life is better with Liv! It's great to reflect on those who love you profoundly and impact your life. They may not even realize the impact they had on your year. Maybe call or write them a note saying how grateful you are for them.   These questions, I hope you gain insights into the past year. Thought-provoking questions to verify the challenges you overcame because it gives you strength to overcome future challenges. The surprises you dealt with, so you will be better prepared for future surprises. What you spend your money on will remind you where to invest your money. What brought you joy and happiness? What book or podcast you listen to will help you continue your journey of personal growth. Knowing your blind spots prepares you for the future. What made you happy this year is a great reminder to keep doing those things and keep prioritizing those things. Who's that person that you couldn't live without this year?    I am so grateful to you. Thanks for sharing your time with me. I hope you will take the time to reflect on the past year and all you have experienced, learned, overcome, and inspired you.   If you think someone could benefit from this episode, share it, rate it, or subscribe for Free on Itunes or Spotify, so you don't miss out on the next three-word podcast. Learn more about Simplifying Your sales meetings using 3-word topics at http://www.threewordmeetings.com. To learn more about Jay Shetty, http://jayshetty.me

Gili Malinsky is a lead work reporter at CNBC where she covers labor and employment law, U.S. work trends, and mental health. She has contributed to outlets including The New York Times, NBC News, MTV News, the Village Voice, and many others. She's also a playwright, having written a parody of the D.A.R.E. program called “The Drugstoppers” and, most recently, written and performed a monologue called “This is My First ADHD Support Group” at the New York Theater Festival. The monologue is loosely based on her experience getting let go and fired many times before discovering she has ADHD. She's planning to expand it into a full-length play also touching on anxiety and depression. Gili is an Aquarius, thank you for asking. This is another good and fun one, enjoy!  In this episode Peter and Gili discuss:   00:45 - Thank you so much for listening and for subscribing! 00:46 - Live again from the flop house… 01:21 - Welcome Gili Malinsky! 02:22 - Welcome fellow BU Alumn! When did you get diagnosed? 03:06 - Our stories are a little similar; what was it like for you growing up? 05:01 - What if we had known we had ADHD during college? 05:28 - Would Peter change anything about his life prior to his ADHD diagnosis? 06:16 - Would Gili change anything? How about her work experiences? 08:21 - Gili's first ADHD epiphany about work, (via therapy) 09:20 - On finding her condition actually has a name; not alone in this! 09:45 - A note on self-forgiveness 10:38 - Peter's “leftover pizza concept” 11:44 - Once diagnosed, what changed, what were you able to do, how do you keep on track? 13:30: Ref: Books!  Smart But Stuck -Thomas E. Brown and Driven To Distraction -Edward M. Hallowell [Dr. Hallowell was Peter's first ever guest on FTN, you can hear his interview HERE!] 13:55  Ref: Peak Mind -Amishi Jha 14:36 -How do you handle deadlines? 15:49 - Talk about Imposter Syndrome? 16:55 - How can people find more about you?  On the Web: https://www.cnbc.com/gili-malinsky-bio/ Socials: @Malinskid on Twitter & INSTA 17:42 - Thank you. Guys, as always thanks so much for subscribing! Do you have a cool friend with a great story? We'd love to hear. I'm www.petershankman.com and you can reach out anytime via email at peter@shankman.com or @petershankman on all of the socials. You can also find us at @FasterNormal on all of the socials. It really helps when you drop us a review on iTunes and of course, subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already! As you know, the more reviews we get, the more people we can reach. Help us to show the world that ADHD is a gift, not a curse!  19:08 - Faster Than Normal Podcast info & credits  TRANSCRIPT via Descript and then corrected.. somewhat: [00:00:36] Peter: Peter Shankman yo, yo, what's up everyone. Peter Shankman here from Faster Than Normal . Another episode. I am thrilled to have you with me. I am doing this again from the flop house. Reason I began started telling you about the flop house with my apartment. I had the massive water issue and, and it's finally being renovated. Uh, so I, in New York, you can't just move your stuff to another room. You actually have to move it out of your apartment. So a bunch of men came and they packed up everything I owned ever in my life, and they took it to some storage unit in Queens. I threw an air tag into a couple of boxes and I, I, I look at the air tag and remember, like, I used to have a Peloton and I used to have a bed and I used to have all this stuff. And now I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm on a couch in a one bedroom down in . Battery park city. And it's, it's a little odd. Either way life goes on as, as does Faster Than Normal! Welcome to the stage today, Gili and I probably, I probably just pronounced that wrong, even though she told me 10 seconds ago ahead pronounce so welcome to a ADD, Malinsky who is a lead. Did I pronounce it wrong? Gili Malinsky is a lead work reporter at CNBC. All right, so we're talking about some business press today. She covers labor and employment law, US work trends and . Mental health. She contributes to outlets, including New York times, NBC news, MTV, the Village Voice, and many others. She's also a playwright. She's written the parody of the dare program, which I love because D.A.R.E did more to introduce me to drugs than ever keep me off of it. And that's called The Drugstoppers . And most recently she wrote and performed a monologue called This Is My First ADHD support group at the New York Theater Festival. I love that the monologue is based loose on her experience, getting, let, go and fired many times before discovering she had ADHD welcome to my world. She's planning to expand into a full length play. Also touching an anxiety and depression. Love that. And I love that she puts . She ends her bio with Gili's an Aquarius. Thank you for asking. welcome to FTN you're awesome. I love you already. [00:02:19] Gili: Oh, thank you so much. Yaaaay! [00:02:22] Peter: So I just also share with both Terriers, you went to Boston University, you graduated mm-hmm um, uh, 94 0 4, 14 years after me. Yeah. So, whatever . So you went to BU when did you get diagnosed? You get diagnosed at school or after school? After school? [00:02:36] Gili: No, I got diagnosed when I was 33. So I got diagnosed three years ago in that 2019. Yeah.  [00:02:41] Peter: That was about the same age as me. Um, yeah. Wow. But what was it like for you? Cause for me, everyone listened to this podcast knows I, I was. Had the social acuity of a turnip and, and, you know, barely passed by the skin of my teeth. I mean, I was at BU in the college and general studies with literally a D plus average until I got into, uh, college communications where it's like, oh, I Al I have to do is write? Okay. Here. And, you know, went to A's, but it was, it was brutal. I was on academic probation for like four years. How did you, what, what was your story like growing up? Tell us.  [00:03:07] Gili: Sure. So I, uh, I'm the listed three grew up just that's out of Boston in a town called Newton. My brother was diagnosed with ADHD when he was pretty young. I think he was like, it must have been when he was in middle school. Um, so it was sort of always like in the background as just. Something that we knew was in the family, but I, I didn't really get too deep into it. I don't think that he and I even really talked about it until the last few years. And, um, I was always like a, you know, pretty good student was always genuinely interested in school, kind of a big nerd, really liked learning things and was always really engaged, um, by what we were doing. So. I think, and, and I learned fast, you know, even if I wasn't necessarily always paying attention, like it just, I had a good enough brain to soak up the information and I was super engaged, uh, that I just like did pretty well in school. At BU I think, I mean, definitely the stakes got higher. There was a lot more work to do. I, I don't think that, um, The concept of working harder, really computed for me. Whereas like I did pretty again, I did pretty well in high school and I think that like I did all my assignments and stuff. I mean, there were certainly things that I did very, very last minute, which, you know, our people know all about. Um, but, um, at school at when I got to BU I think like suddenly they were like really piling on the work and I, how to get myself to do like. More work to be more planned about doing the work to not leave everything to the last second, I think was really beyond me. And then I was so far, you know, so far away from my diagnosis, but it certainly wouldn't have occurred to me that something was, you know, quote unquote wrong at that point. So I think I, I was like to be honest again, because I was genuinely interested in everything and, um, you know, curious to learn, I, I. Probably like a A's, B's some C's it wasn't as good as in high school, but it was, I wasn't a terrible student. I, I could have done better though. Like had I known, had I known, um, I definitely could have done better, but, uh, [00:04:55] Peter: I think that's the that's isn't isn't that though the, the catch phrase of anyone, with ADHD early lives I could done better. Had I known.  [00:05:01] Gili: Yeah, totally. And I it's so interesting because like now having reported on ADHD and adults with it, like I've, I've heard of this, this thing of sort of, um, the depression that the diagnosis sets on, because there's this looking back and thinking like how much better you could have done, how much more you could have achieved off until this point? I will say I did not experience that personally, but yes. Thinking back, like I know I could have done better.  [00:05:24] Peter: Um, you know, it's interesting. Go ahead. Go ahead. No, no, no, please. Yeah. What's interesting about that is I was, I was about to comment that neither have, I, I haven't either. Um, I am very much of the belief and look, maybe this is just something I've been telling myself to, to, to, to, you know, get through it. But I am of the belief that. All the crap that I had to put up with in high school, in college, almost failing out, having very few friends, being that awkward. I am a, I, I, everyone says, what would you go back and change? I wouldn't change a thing. Yeah. Cause I'm like the believe that everything that, that I got everything, I survived, everything. I learned how to do everything that brought me to this moment to is, is what got me to where I am right now. All that. I mean, it was a nightmare. I wouldn't wish some of those days coming home and just crying myself sleep from weeks on end. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, but yeah, I, I believed that I wouldn't be anywhere near whatever level of success I've reached in my life had it not been for ADHD.  [00:06:16] Gili: Totally. Yeah. That resonates so much. Uh, yeah. And which I, and that actually like brings me to, um, the sort of work world, which is really where I started getting into trouble. Um, because I also yeah. Went through a lot of hardship when I came to that. So, so yeah, I think, um, went to school for journalism, kind of always knew that that the very least I wanted to start my career as a writer there. Um, you know, don't see an end insight right now, really love being a journalist, but, um, yes, I've definitely been dabbling with other things, but, um, I started, you know, I was like freelancing for a lot of these publications. Some of them you read in my bio and then, um, started getting staff, writing gigs at, you know, major media outlets. Um, and I kept fucking up, like, so, you know, I, uh, was just getting super overwhelmed. They were giving me these like very straightforward tasks and it was just like, my brain could not handle them. It could not organize them, you know, could not help me like do them in methodical ways. It would. So much information all at once. And like, all I could do was just sit in my computer and stare at my email or look at YouTube. Like it was just, it was so, too much, too much all at once. Um, you know, I would miss a lot of deadlines and, uh, you know, I would like prefer to do the easier tasks and the harder ones that were really like the crux of the job anyway. Um, and so, um, I ended up getting let go. You know, and it's, oh, there's, you know, you get, let go for lots of reasons, but, but certainly like looking back, I know that that played into it, um, because I can see the fuckups that I made along the way, you know, this happened time and time again. And like you said, like it, you know, It's really heartbreaking. I think like we live in this very individualistic society that tells us if something like that happens, it's only your fault. Um, you know, and if it keeps happening then, like, what is the, what is the conclusion that I can come to? Like other than that I'm a fuck up myself, you know, that something is deeply broken and wrong with me. Yeah. Um, and so, yeah, it was very miserable. I was broke, um, and I felt like an idiot and I, I, I hated myself. Um, and then I think after the, I don't remember what, how many times this happened before I finally, uh, was talking to my therapist and was telling her that I have this like motivation thing at work, or like four or five months into a job. Like I just lose all motivation and it's I want the job. I always want the job, but I'm just like sitting there. Like trying to force myself, trying to, will myself to do the work. And like, everything is slower. And I I'm like going home and reading productivity hack articles and like nothing works. Um, and she was like, you know, that could be ADHD. Like, have you been tested for that? Uh, and I said, no, uh, I haven't, my brother has it. Uh, but no, I that's. That's something that it, you know, I've gotten tested for. Um, and I did. And lo and behold, I have it.  [00:09:03] Peter: nice to put a name to everything that you've experienced  [00:09:05] Gili: Well, that's the thing, is that like, for me having a name, like even before I was officially diagnosed just that morning when she said that I might have it, like I cried the rest of the morning because it was. Oh like, yes, exactly. This has a name. If this is what it is, it has a name. Um, I'm not crazy. There is something about me because you know, you can see the people around you are functioning differently, that they're processing information differently from you and that you just can't get yourself to work in the same way. And suddenly it was like, oh, I'm not crazy. Like, there really is something in my brain that is making it difficult for me to, to perform in the, you know, in the same way that they are. And also like maybe I can actually forgive myself. Like that was the big thing for me. I think like it was less looking back and being really upset at everything you could have done and more like, oh, like maybe I don't have to have this growing anger inside of me, this growing self hatred. And I can kind of just start to let that go. [00:10:02] Peter: It's funny. I, I, I, I, I try to, I make light of that. Sometimes I make light of the fact that what you said specifically about how you are, uh, you know, other people do things and don't seem to have the same problems that you do, and you're watching them do these things. And I think that I've always had that and it's always been frustra, even knowing what I have and knowing that the things I do. Work. Right. Like, you know, I get up at four in the morning to exercise before my day mm-hmm so I have the Dopamine I needed, but every once in, so while I'm like, God damn it, why do I have to do that? Why do people do, why can people sleep in until six or seven, then just go to work and be on. And, you know, but I always make a joke out of it. I talk about, you know, I call it the leftover pizza concept that, that, that. Other people, they work a full day. They come home. They, I don't wanna cook 'em so they order a pizza. They eat order pizza. They have two slices. They put the rest of in the fridge. That's leftover pizza. Yeah. Never had leftover pizza in my fucking life. that's that's that's not a thing. I order a pizza. I eat the pizza. Yeah. And you know, for me, it's the same thing with alcohol, right. So I'm very aware. I quit for several years. I'm very aware of how I drank. I mm-hmm, maybe, maybe a few times a year in very specific conditions with very specific people. Um, because it's not one. Right. And so every once in a while I get a little frustrated, you know, how come they get to do this in I and I don't. Mm. Um, but then I think about it, I'm like, well, they also don't have the faster brain goodness. Right. They, you know, they haven't started and sold three companies by 40. They haven't mm-hmm , you know, done things like that. So, so, so, so ya try to find the benefit, but yeah, every once in a while, it's, it's very, very frustrating, but let's talk for a second because. Once you got diagnosed, right? Mm-hmm I I'm sure that you've been putting things into play. Same way. I did. Same way. Almost everyone does. You've been putting things into play subconsciously to allow yourself to get through, to, to work, to get on deadline and things like that. Once you got diagnosed here, you are on a high pressure job with deadlines mm-hmm um, once you got diagnosed, what changed and what were you able to do? Cuz obviously you're you let's see CNBC, they haven't fired you today and said, you're, you know, you can't do this. So tell us about the kind of things I think this will interest the audience. Tell us about the kinda things you put into play. What are your tips and tricks to make sure you don't go down the wrong road. I mean, for Christ sake, you have to do, you know, half your job is research, right? Mm-hmm half your job is there's a, how do you not wind up eight hours later on Wikipedia looking up Roman sewage canals, having nothing to do with your original story.  [00:12:10] Gili: Wow. That was that's like Tuesday. No, um, no, totally. um, no, no, no, totally. Um, so yeah, it's a great question. I mean, for me, I think the biggest thing was I just started learning about it immediately and like equipping myself with knowledge. And so I started reading. I read, um, there's one called smart, but stuck. Um, which I read and then, uh, driven to distraction is another one I read recently. And one thing that these things did for that these books did for me is by, is like, I, I was reading stories of other people who have this neurological disorder as well, and seeing myself in them and feeling again, like less alone and more okay. Um, and so I think. Again, that, that anger and that self hatred that I think in and of itself was a distraction kind of started to dissipate and created space for me to be able to focus better. Um, but that was the first thing is I just kind of started learning about what this is. Um, I think I kind of messed around a little bit with Adderall. Like I was like trying, I tried a little bit, but, but I think, you know, I was. The psychiatrist I said, said I have mild ADHD, you know, whatever that means. So, so I don't know if it was because the Adderall doses that I tried, like didn't really work for me or whatever it was, but I decided that I was gonna just try to make do without them, without that, you know, without medication mm-hmm . Um, but, um, yeah, I mean, so have always worked out but have started, um, but started doing it first thing in the morning. Um, I, I was, yeah, I was like, have always kind of messed around with doing it sometimes throughout the day, but that has always been part of my routine. Um, and definitely find that that's an amazing release first thing in the morning. Um, I, as of the last six months, I've also been doing some mindfulness meditation for like 12 minutes when I first wake up, I read, um, this book called peak mind, um, by, um, a researcher and professor in Miami at university of Miami. I mean, Amishi Jha and she, the whole book is about the attention system in the brain. Um, you know, and she touches on ADHD and of course, like there's no real fix for this brain, but there are, there are methods to, um, sharpen, I guess, some components of it. What meditation for me has helped with has just been, um, to have a growing awareness of where my mind is. And so maybe I can't stop it from going, you know, in a trillion directions, basically every 30 seconds. But at the very least I have more of an awareness of where it is and I. I can reel it back to what it needs to be doing. Like that's just something that, you know, that's a skill that has really helped me.  [00:14:35] Peter: No question. What do you, um, how are, how do you handle deadlines?  [00:14:39] Gili: It's yeah, also such a great question. Cause I have them every day. Part of it is the, you know, the, so I actually got hired at CNBC about four months after I got diagnosed. Um, and so at that point I had already sort of started the process of like learning what this isn't. How do I work with the brain that I have, um, It just worked out that I was in a really supportive system. And so my, you know, shout out to Kelly Grant, Esther Bloom, um, Jenna Goudreau , these are my editors and now Hannah Howard, they're, they're very, um, supportive. They're very open. They're very welcoming, you know, and. You know, having that external motivation is extremely helpful in, and getting me to continue to be motivated to get my work done. But I think what happened by nature too, is like the longer you do something, the better at it, you get. Right? And so I have learned, you know, by being in this environment where I'm super supported. To do my job very quickly, you know, to be a better writer to say, this is good enough, you know? Good enough is, that's what I have. So yeah. Good enough is super helpful for deadlines. Um, cause it's easy to be a perfectionist, like what you want is to give them the best, but it doesn't matter. Good enough is like that will just have to suffice. Um, yeah. I don't know. Does that answer? I can think of other things.  [00:15:49] Peter: Yeah. Perfectly last, last question. Yeah. Talk about imposter syndrome.  [00:15:53] Gili: No.  Imposter syndrome, you talk about, about syndrome, huh? imposter syndrome. Um,  [00:15:59] Peter: Hmm. Do you have it, does it affect you? How do you do? Hmm,  [00:16:03] Gili: I mean, sure. Of course. Like I see lots of people around me, you know, at a level of success that I would love that I would love to be at. Um, but. I, you know, I have been blessed with a very big ego [00:16:16] Peter: Haaah! Spectacular!  [00:16:20] Gili: No, I think, um, I think to be honest with you, like, um, yeah, I, I come from a very supportive environment. My parents are, are super loving and supportive. And so I think that I do have some level of like self confidence. Um, That has really helped, like push me through, even in the moments where I was really failing. Um, I mean, I, I get jealous of people. Of course I do, but, but I somehow I think my Ambi, my ambition, um, you know, and just my, like my hunger to, to, to create, um, has just, you know, pushed me through even whatever insecurities I might have had.  [00:16:54] Peter: Awesome. I love it. I love it. Yeah. Wow. This has been amazing. Um, how could people find you tell, tell us where you are, uh, Gil, where, where you go, what your Instagrams are, uh, whatever, your favorite type of pizza, whatever. [00:17:07] Gili: Oh, favorite type of pizza? Uh, well, I. I mean, I like French fries better than pizza. I will just say I'm a French fries person, even more than a pizza person. So you'll  [00:17:13] Peter: and we're done here guys. Thanks for listening. It's been a pleasure. We'll talk.  [00:17:18] Gili: sorry. I like pizza, but French fries would like too much ketchup. That's my go to junk food. I love it. I love it. People can find me on Twitter and Instagram, um, at Molin kids. So M a L I N S K I D. That's my handle.  [00:17:33] Peter: Yeah, a L L I I'm. I'm just putting it in for the M a L I M [00:17:37] Gili: M a L I N. S K I D so my last name is Malinski gotcha. And my, yeah, my handles in Alinski. Yeah. I, I post like all my articles and all my stuff on this, so  [00:17:46] Peter: very cool. Guys what a pleasure. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time. This was a great interview. Um, thank you. It gives people hope. I mean, I, I remember, um, My, you know, again, being a diagnosed I remember in college, I had a photo photojournalism professor who told me that I'd never make it. I should probably go to something boring like accounting. Said I'd never make it as a journalist. And, uh, when, when I was the first ever, uh, digital journalist to cover the democratic Republican conventions in 1996, I photocopied my press pass, uh, and sent him, sent it to him and said, kind of doing terribly .Hope you're well. That was a nice, that was a nice feeling. [00:18:21] Gili: Um, a nice little FU.  [00:18:22] Peter: Indeed really. You probably know the journal, the professor too. Isn't comp. Really appreciate you being here. We will have you back. Most definitely. This was a pleasure. We'll definitely have you back.  [00:18:32] Gili: Thank you so much. This was delightful. Thank you. I really appreciate it. Peter.  [00:18:35] Peter: Awesome stuff. Most definitely [00:19:08]Credits: You've been listening to the Faster Than Normal podcast. We're available on iTunes, Stitcher and Google play and of course at www.FasterThanNormal.com I'm your host, Peter Shankman and you can find me at shankman.com and @petershankman on all of the socials. If you like what you've heard, why not head over to your favorite podcast platform of choice and leave us a review, come more people who leave positive reviews, the more the podcast has shown, and the more people we can help understand that ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Opening and closing themes were composed and produced by Steven Byrom who also produces this podcast, and the opening introduction was recorded by Bernie Wagenblast. Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you next week!

Many of us struggle with hyper-vigilant minds that overwhelm our nervous systems. Some of us overcompensate by habitually tuning out, causing us to miss important information from our bodies and our relationships. Dr. Amishi Jha summarizes the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance.

WE APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERS. CHECK THEM OUT!Trigger Autophagy: https://spermidinelife.us/dave, use code DAVE25 for 25% off your first month's orderMeat Sticks! All the Good Stuff-No BS: https://paleovalley.com/DAVE, use code DAVE to get 15% off your first orderSleep Better on Natural Memory Foam: https://myessentia.com, use code DAVEVIP to get an exclusive discountIN THIS EPISODE OF THE HUMAN UPGRADE™...…you're going to find out why you're missing 50% of your life to fractured attention and distraction and what it's doing to your brain. Podcast guest Amishi Jha, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami, researches how people pay attention. She co-founded the Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative at the University of Miami and serves as its director. For more than 25 years, she's researched the science of attention through intensive work with the U.S. Military, first responders, medical professionals, business leaders, and elite sports teams.She's found that attention Is both your superpower and your kryptonite. As a superpower, attention allows you to time-travel in your mind (future and past), highlights what's important, helps you problem solve, and shuts out distractions, she explains in her book, “Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day.” When attention is compromised, it's your kryptonite because it impacts your cognitive function, social engagement, and emotional balance, she points out. The three main forces that degrade attention include, 1) the amount of stress you're under (and how you're managing it); 2) being in a crappy mood; and 3) threats real or imagined.And when your attention gets fractured, you often default to tactics that fail to pull it back together. Amishi's got great insights in her book that allow you to understand why this happening. When you know what's going on, it's easier to find your focus.It's absolutely possible to change your brain to become more attentive, present, and productive through mindful techniques and daily focusing practices. Amishi's research shows that mindfulness gives you a sense of control over your mind and allows you to stop negative thinking before it hijacks your brain and body.The type of mindfulness practice you choose isn't as important as how consistently you actually do it. The minimum effective dose equals 12 minutes a day, five days a week.Listen on to a conversation that gives you practical tips on how to re-capture your attention, train your brain and perform at your peak.More about Amishi Jha, Ph.D.: Amishi earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Psychology then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) from the University of California–Davis. She completed post-doctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University in functional neuroimaging. She leads research on the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance. Her work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and the U.S. Pentagon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today marks the 400th episode of the mbg podcast! What a journey it's been since our launch on June 12, 2017. The milestone of 400 speaks to the longevity of our show, so in the spirit of longevity, today's special episode will highlight the greatest nuggets of healthspan and lifespan advice we've heard on the podcast. Join mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, as he explores how to lead a happier, healthier life for as long as possible. Some highlights include: - How to fall back asleep after waking up in the middle of the night (~24:54) - Why breathing through your nose is crucial for immunity (~40:59) - The health benefits of walking outside in the cold (~47:02) - How to "think" yourself younger (~52:18) - Why loneliness is a huge health issue (~53:37) Referenced in the episode: - mbg Podcast episode #297, with William Li, M.D. - mbg Podcast episode #356, with Dan Buettner - mbg Podcast episode #345, with Simon Hill - mbg Podcast episode #363, with David Sinclair, Ph.D. - mbg Podcast episode #310, with Kristen Willeumier, Ph.D. - mbg Podcast episode #386, with Annabel Streets - mbg Podcast episode #293, with Mark Sisson - mbg Podcast episode #313, with Robb Wolf - mbg Podcast episode #368, with Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM - mbg Podcast episode #366, with Kara Fitzgerald, N.D. - mbg Podcast episode #361, with Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN - mbg Podcast episode #391, with Frank Lipman, M.D. - mbg Podcast episode #317, with Patrick McKeown - mbg Podcast episode #238, with Brian Mackenzie - mbg Podcast episode #397, with Becca Levy, Ph.D. - mbg Podcast episode #327, with Sergey Young - mbg Podcast episode #267, with Marta Zaraska - mbg Podcast episode #392, with Emma Loewe - mbg Podcast episode #344, with Lisa Miller, Ph.D. - mbg Podcast episode #343, with Amishi Jha, Ph.D. - mbg Podcast episode #388, with Arthur Brooks, Ph.D. We at mbg are extraordinarily grateful for all of you—for tuning in, for sharing on social media, and for your reviews and thoughtful comments. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we always want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com.

How do you train your attention and stop your mind from wandering in only twelve minutes a day? Maintaining your attention and focus in a world filled with distractions can be very difficult. The constant disruption of notifications can start to feel like you don't have ownership over your own mind. But solutions like avoiding technology for periods of time rely on external intervention rather than giving you control over your ability to concentrate. To go in-depth on this topic, I'm thrilled to have Dr. Amishi Jha on the show today. Dr. Jha is a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She's also the author of the bestselling book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day. Packed with over fifteen years of research, her book gives you practical steps on how to use mindfulness training to regain your ability to be present in any situation—in only twelve minutes a day. Technology is a necessity in the modern world. Instead of removing access to digital devices, you can train your attention to be distraction-proof. Listen in, as Dr. Jha gives you actionable steps to start training your focus, notice where your attention is at any given time, and learn how to redirect to get back on track. *** Do you want to stay up to date with every new episode and get my brand new Kwik Brain Accelerator Program? Go to www.KwikBrain.com/podcast to get instant access. *** Or text me 310-299-9362 to get your burning questions answered and an insider sneak peek of exciting updates. I do my best to answer as many as I can each day, so shoot me a message today.

How To Hack Your Focus & Pay More Attention To The Things That Matter with Neuroscientist Dr. Amishi Jha

Check out our sponsors: ButcherBox: Sign up at ButcherBox.com/impact Future makes one on one training available to our audience for just $19 Go to https://tryfuture.co/impacttheory Sign up to crush your fitness goals!My amazing and talented wife Lisa is releasing her new book Radical Confidence, which you can preorder - and get the bonuses she's created for you - at radicalconfidence.com. When you read this book, Lisa will teach you 10 No-BS Life Lessons to become the hero of your own life and take MASSIVE bold action to achieve your potential!When you are committed to hitting major goals, experiencing life on the next level, and showing up as a better version of yourself, being able to focus becomes a critical skill. Being able to give your full attention to what matters in the moment is necessary whether your focus is work or involves being present in a conversation. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at University of Miami and author of the new book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day. She is unpacking why your wandering mind isn't as big a problem as you think, how memories are formed and stories are ultimately created and stitched together to create our version of reality. If you're struggling with being distracted, the different types of practices Amishi shares will give you a place to start immediately!Check out Amishi Jha's book, Peak Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Mind-Attention-Invest-Minutes-ebook/dp/B08THNJ978 SHOW NOTES:0:00 | Introduction to Amishi Jha0:52 | Why Mind Wandering Happens4:13 | Memories and Neural Configuration13:20 | Assigning Meaning to Dreams16:20 | Accurate or Altered Memories21:11 | Nostalgic Story Making 28:53 | Risky Story Making34:31 | Break Story Mode39:34 | Developing Meta Awareness47:06 | Constructing Reality53:07 | The Power of Mindfulness1:02:07 | How to Practice Being Mindful1:11:14 | Types of Mindfulness Practice1:17:01 | Why Positivity Doesn't Work1:24:27 | Loving KindnessQUOTES:“There is no objectivity in the way we remember. There's no point of that. The point of memory is to support our actions in the future.” [20:14]“My caution regarding stories is in our drive, in our desire to make something have meaning, [..] I may lose some aspect of what is useful and what is true.” [29:58]“When we take an observational stance, we can actually see the structure of the story, and that is very powerful.” [38:57]“In your pocket at all times, is the ability to let it go.” Tom Bilyeu [57:02]“Unless we are actively keeping the contents of our conscious experience, refreshed and rewritten moment by moment, they will fade away.” [58:36]Follow Amishi Jha: Website: https://amishi.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AmishiPJha Twitter: https://twitter.com/amishijha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amishipjha/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amishi.jha

Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She serves as the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis and postdoctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University. Dr. Jha's work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She has received coverage in The New York Times, NPR, TIME, Forbes, and more. In this episode, Eric and Dr. Amishi Jha discuss her new book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 minutes a DayBut wait – there's more! The episode is not quite over!! We continue the conversation and you can access this exclusive content right in your podcast player feed. Head over to our Patreon page and pledge to donate just $10 a month. It's that simple and we'll give you good stuff as a thank you!Dr. Amishi Jha and I Discuss Peak Mind and Attention Training and...Her book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 minutes a DayDefining "peak mind" and the distinction between thinking and doingThe doing mode and being modeThe being mode is being observant and receptive to what is happeningWisdom is both reflection and actionThe different modes of the brain and their functionsHow we prioritize information based on our goals that then guide how we interact with our mind and environmentHow our attention itself isn't the problem, but rather how we monitor our attention that is problematicThe effectiveness of 12 minutes of a mindfulness practice every dayS.T.O.P. practice: Stop, Take a breathe, Observe, ProceedUnderstanding our framework and how we can reframe and deframe our experiences The problem with positive psychology tactics when you're depletedHow negative feelings or conflict is an opportunity to observe and course correctThe various microstates of the mind and their contingency on our next thoughts and actionsDr. Amishi Jha Links:Amishi's WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebookExplore the science behind weight loss and partner with your healthcare provider for a healthy approach to your weight management, visit truthaboutweight.comWhen you purchase products and/or services from the sponsors of this episode, you help support The One You Feed. Your support is greatly appreciated, thank you!If you enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Amishi Jha you might also enjoy these other episodes:Stolen Focus and Attention with Johann HariHow to Focus and Accomplish Goals with Emily BalcetisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever paid attention to your attention? Or is your mind on what is for dinner or the next box you need to check off your list? What you give attention to is what grows. Today's guest - psychologist and researcher, Dr. Amishi Jha, wants to bring our  attention to our attention…literally! Tune into as we explore the habit of attention. To learn more about Dr. Jha's work: https://amishi.com/

Dr. Amishi Jha joins Greg on today's episode to discuss the power of now. Everything is action, just like the breath, it all only happens in the now. There is so much vying for our attention, and it makes it even more important to be able to focus on what's truly essential in our lives.  What's Essential Podcast Twitter Facebook Greg McKeown Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Scratch Audiohouse Instagram LinkedIn Credits: Hosted by Greg McKeown Produced by Greg McKeown and Scratch Audiohouse Executive Produced by Greg McKeown, Brent Montgomery and Ed Simpson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amishi Jha studies how we pay attention: the process by which our brain decides what's important out of the constant stream of information it receives. Both external distractions (like stress) and internal ones (like mind-wandering) diminish our attention's power, Jha says -- but some simple techniques can boost it. "Pay attention to your attention," Jha says.

Adam Alter, author of "Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked," Dr. Amishi Jha, author of "Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention," and Nir Eyal, author of "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" and "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life," help us put down our phones in this episode. Joe asks Adam Alter, “Do you think they recognize that this is unhealthy, but do it anyway?”   “Yeah. We know that. We know that because they've been interviewed and they say, they've said, a number of them, 'We are sort of agnostic about consumer well-being and consumer welfare. We don't really-- we're not trying to hurt people, but also it's not our primary aim. Our primary aim is to ensure that you spend as many minutes of the day on the screen as possible. And if you do that, we'll consider it a success.'”     In this episode, we take advice from the experts and how to focus our attention on the things we want instead of what we're naturally drawn to, our phones. In this episode you'll learn about… - Extracting your best phone habits and leaving the worst habits behind  - Being more aware, moment by moment, of how we're using our attention - Hacking back your attention from external distractions If you want to watch the full episodes, Addicted to Tech? An Expert Explains How to Overcome It / Adam Alter and Joe De Sena - https://youtu.be/pbaRVE5UTXU Learn to Strengthen Your Focus / Joe De Sena & Dr Amishi Jha - https://youtu.be/heejP9tsLb8 Nir Eyal | Become Indistractable - https://youtu.be/XWtTwWtfEjQ   SPONSOR ​​ This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by JUNK, the official headband of Spartan pros. JUNK produces the best headband, guaranteed to work as hard as you do. Visit www.junkbrands.com/spartan for 10% off your order.   SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpShow YouTube: http://bit.ly/SpartanUpYT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pYBkk1T684YQg7CmoaAZt FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod CREDITS: Producer: Lake Watters Hosts: Johnny Waite, Joe De Sena Co-Hosts: Sefra Alexandra, Col. Nye Sr Producer: Marion Abrams © 2022 Spartan

Today’s episode is all about the crisis of attention, cultivating mindfulness, and developing peak mind practices. I’m here with Dr. Amishi Jha, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She also serves as the director of contemplative neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. We discuss the …

You can build your capacity for attention and focus, just like you build your muscles. Today's guest Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and is the Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative, which she co-founded in 2010. Her work has been featured at NATO, the World Economic Forum, and The Pentagon. She joins Joe De Sena, founder & CEO of Spartan, to explain how you can use simple focus exercises, like push ups for the brain, to strengthen your attention, focus, and mental resilience.   Dr Amishi Jha's Book “Peak Mind” https://amzn.to/3snIydy More about Amishi Jha and her work https://amishi.com/   This episode of Spartan Up is brought to you by FITAID. Race dirty, recover clean with FITAID Sports Recovery Drink. Visit https://www.lifeaidbevco.com/ and enter code SPARTAN30 at checkout to get EXCLUSIVE early access to FITAID's Black Friday 30% off sale.      AND by Athletic Brewing Company. Athletic Brewing Company's innovative process allows them to brew great-tasting craft beer without the alcohol. Place an order today at athleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six packs or more. New customers can also get 10% off their entire order with code SPARTAN10. Limit one per customer.   Joe De Sena's Parenting book “10 Rules for Mental Toughness for Families” www.spartan.com/10Rules The Tough Bible - the best information from Spartan Up all in one place Spartan.com/toughbible  Be ready for ANYTHING - download the free book  https://www.spartan.com/readyforanything FOLLOW SPARTAN UP: Spartan Up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/spartanuppodcast/ Spartan Up on Twitter https://twitter.com/SpartanUpPod   CREDITS: Producer – Marion Abrams, Madmotion.com Host: Joe De Sena Sefra Alexandra, Johnny Waite & Colonel Nye will be back soon, we miss them! © 2021 Spartan

Dr. Amishi Jha, professor of psychology and Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative joins us this week to discuss what mindfulness is and how we can take steps in order to incorporate it into our lives.Follow Dr. Jhahttps://amishi.com/ Follow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/candicekayla/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/CandiceKayla Website: www.candicekayla.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. Amishi Jha is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami, and Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. She is the author of "Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day."

Dr. Amishi Jha is a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami. Amishi joins the Armchair Expert to discuss growing up as an Indian-American in Chicago, why she started studying neuroscience, and her new book "Peak Mind". Amishi and Dax talk about what percentage of the brain we actually use, how people use confirmation bias to write their own story, and the power of attention on our perception of the world. Amishi explains how she manages her nervousness and anxiety, what the study of mindfulness actually is, and how she defines attentional rubber necking. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's episode, we cover focus and attention with Dr. Amishi Jha. Dr. Amishi Jha received her Ph.D. from the University of California–Davis, is a professor of psychology at the University of Miami, and is the Cofounder and Director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative. It seems like our attention spans are getting shorter every year, but are they really, what can we do to improve our ability to focus, and how do we deal with the countless entities always clawing for our attention everywhere we look? What to Listen For Introduction and Dr. Amishi's origin story – 9:00 How does meditation better equip us to deal with everything that is fighting for our attention in daily life? What is attention and why should we care? – 19:24 What are the three components of attention and how do mindfulness practices influence our ability to pay attention? What mindfulness exercise can you start doing now to begin seeing the benefits of meditation? Are our attention spans actually getting shorter? How do we use our brain to combat our own lack of attention or focus? The Finder Flashlight Practice for developing focus – 31:20 What can you do to help your children learn to pay attention and focus? What advantages do people with ADD/ADHD have that people without it don't have? Improving focus while living under a lot of stress – 48:50 What 12-minute exercise can you do on a daily basis to boost your ability to focus, even in high stress, high demand situations and environments? Our ability to focus on something for an extended period of time is one of the significant differences between humans and other animals. However, like other animals we can easily be distracted and lose that focus. So what can we do in today's world where everything in our daily lives is fighting for our attention? We can start by meditating (or implementing a similarly effective mindfulness practice) that can help us cultivate a sense of awareness that isn't so reactive and easily distracted. A Word From Our Sponsors Share your vulnerabilities, victories, and questions in our 13,000-member private Facebook group at theartofcharm.com/challenge. This is a unique opportunity where everyone — both men and women — celebrate your accountability on the way to becoming the best version of yourself. Register today here! Resources from this Episode Dr. Amishi's website Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day How to Tame Your Wandering Mind (TED Talk by Dr. Amishi) Dr. Amishi on Twitter Check in with AJ and Johnny! AJ on Instagram Johnny on Instagram The Art of Charm on Instagram The Art of Charm on YouTube