V. Principle 2: Focus

Question 1

What are the 3 general struggles with focus for ultralearners?

Answer 1

1. Failing to start focusing (procrastination)
2. Sustaining focus (distraction)
3. failing to create the right quality of focus

Question 2

What mental habit do we want to get into every time we procrastinate when ultralearning?

Answer 2

Work out whether you are feeling an aversion to doing the desired task, or an attraction to doing the distracting behaviour.

If there’s some of both, which is stronger?

Question 3

When procrastinating, what is a useful way to think about the unpleasant parts of the chosen task (or the pleasant parts of the distracting activity)? (ultralearning)

Answer 3

Remember that these unpleasant (or attractive) elements usually don’t last long.

So commit to a short period of time, such as 5 minutes, and see if that helps.

Question 4

Do we need to always be in a state of flow when ultralearning?

Answer 4

No, defnitely not.

Sometimes the necessary work is difficult and prevents flow. The key is to push on.

K. Anders Ericsson has found that deliberate practice is almost never fun.

Question 5

What are the 3 main sources of distraction which prevent the sustaining of focus when ultralearning?

Answer 5

1. Your environment
2. The task
3. Your mind

Question 6

To complete complex tasks, what level of arousal do we require? (ultralearning)

Answer 6

For complex tasks, we need low arousal, which leads to a more relaxed, diffuse focus. This allows for more creativity.

For simple, intense tasks, high arousal can be useful, but it is more brittle, and doesn’t last as long.