When it comes to strategies for better living, one simple framework stands out: the rule of E. Efficiency, effectiveness, and essentialism provide a powerful lens through which to cultivate better habits and greater focus.
The Quest for Deep Focus
In a world dominated by social media and endless distractions, the ability to focus deeply is becoming a lost art. Cultivating deep focus has become a personal mission, and mindfulness lies at the heart of this pursuit.
While “mindfulness” is often thrown around as a trendy buzzword, its true meaning can feel elusive. Tim Ferriss defines mindfulness as a “present-state awareness that helps you be non-reactive.” This definition captures its essence. It’s about developing the mental strength to stay grounded in a world that bombards us with distractions and drains our cognitive energy.
Deep focus isn’t just about cutting out distractions—it’s about channeling attention into meaningful intellectual work, a skill that has profound implications for productivity and creativity.
The Power of Reading
Another cornerstone of cultivating focus has been embracing reading—not as a pastime, but as essential work. A single book often represents decades of expertise, packaged into a few hundred pages of distilled knowledge. For $10 to $15, you can access a lifetime of learning, making it one of the most powerful investments in personal and professional growth.
But there’s a catch: you have to focus.
Mindfulness becomes indispensable here. To extract value from a book, you need “a present-state awareness that helps you be non-reactive.” Only then can you give the page in front of you your undivided attention, without succumbing to the constant pull of notifications or wandering thoughts.
Reading as Deep Work
Reading isn’t leisure. It’s an intentional practice that requires energy, commitment, and mindfulness. It’s serious, deep work—and for those looking to grow personally and professionally, it’s non-negotiable.
Two Practices to Strengthen Focus
Recently, two practices have transformed the way I approach focus, mindfulness, and reading. They’ve helped me work more efficiently, focus more effectively, and align my life with the principle of essentialism. These practices serve as synergistic tools that bring clarity and intention to everything I do.
When paired with the rule of E, these practices provide a roadmap for cultivating deep focus, mastering mindfulness, and accessing the kind of intellectual growth that can only come from deep, undistracted work.
Quick Skill: How to Double Your Reading Speed
Speed reading isn’t just a party trick—it’s a practical skill that can drastically increase your efficiency when tackling books, especially ones loaded with vital information. Here’s a simple and effective method to double your reading speed while improving comprehension.
The Dual-Sense Technique
Start by purchasing the physical book, whether it’s a hardcover or paperback. Then, grab the unabridged audio version of the same book on Audible. This combination is key.
Sit down with the physical book in front of you, open to the first page, and crank the Audible narration speed up to 2x or even 2.5x. Follow the words on the page with your finger or a pen as the narration plays.
This approach works like cognitive force-feeding. The simultaneous use of sight (reading the text) and sound (listening to the narration) creates a hyper-focused experience that allows you to absorb the material quickly and efficiently.
Training Your Mind for Speed
If jumping straight to 2x speed feels overwhelming, start with 1.5x for a few chapters. Think of it like high-intensity interval training for your brain:
- Begin at a manageable speed to train your mind and eyes to adjust to the quick pace.
- Gradually increase to higher speeds as your brain gets accustomed.
- Incorporate “sprints” by reading at a very fast pace for 15-minute intervals, then lowering the speed to give yourself a cognitive break before repeating.
This method not only improves your speed but also enhances focus.
When to Use This Method
This technique is especially useful for books you need to “get through” quickly because they contain critical information. Business, marketing, or money-related books are prime candidates. For example, this is how Tony Robbins’ massive book was conquered in just three days.
The Bonus: Hyper-Focus
An added benefit of this dual-sense approach is its ability to eliminate distractions. By engaging both your sight and hearing, your brain stays locked in on the material. There’s no mental bandwidth left for distractions, creating a state of hyper-focus that makes learning not just faster but also deeper.
With this technique, doubling your reading speed becomes not only achievable but also a game-changer for anyone looking to absorb more knowledge in less time.
Long-Term Skill: How to Quiet Your Mind and Be More Mindful
In today’s fast-paced world, mindfulness often feels like an elusive ideal. But mindfulness isn’t about clearing your mind of all thoughts or achieving instant peace. It’s about creating space to observe your thoughts without getting caught up in them. Meditation is the practice that makes this possible—a simple yet profound tool to cultivate mindfulness and quiet your mind.
The Practice of Meditation
Meditation is about intentionally taking time to focus on your breath and observing your thoughts without judgment. Forget the misconception that meditation requires an empty mind or some Zen-like state of bliss. Instead, think of it this way:
- Focus on the Breath: Pay attention to the flow of air as it enters and exits your lungs. Feel its rhythm, its movement.
- Acknowledge Thoughts: When a thought inevitably pops into your mind, don’t fight it. Acknowledge it—“Oh, I just had that thought. Interesting.” Then gently return your focus to the breath.
Meditation trains you to see thoughts for what they are—fleeting, make-believe objects. You’ll begin to recognize their transient nature and learn to let them pass without giving each one undue attention.
Over time, moments of mental stillness and even bliss will come naturally. The more you practice, the more frequently they’ll occur, helping you slow down, connect with yourself, and deepen your self-awareness.
Getting Started
Starting a meditation practice doesn’t require expensive gear or hours of time. Here’s a simple approach:
- Find a Comfortable Spot: Sit on the edge of a chair or couch in a relaxed yet upright position.
- Close Your Eyes: Gently close your eyes to eliminate visual distractions.
- Take 100 Breaths: Inhale deeply through your nose, exhale through your mouth, and silently count each breath in your mind. This process takes about 10 minutes.
The act of counting becomes a mental anchor, preventing your thoughts from wandering too far.
Why It Feels Difficult
Meditation sounds easy—sit, breathe, count—but doing “nothing” can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. Humans are hardwired to solve problems, so when there’s nothing immediate to solve, the brain often treats that absence as the problem itself.
This is why simply sitting still can trigger restlessness or anxiety. But by sticking with the practice, you’re tackling the greatest challenge of all: learning to simply be.
The Eternal Retreat
Meditation creates a mental “space within,” a place of calm you can return to no matter how chaotic life gets. However, just like finding your way to a physical retreat, consistency is key. The more you practice, the more intuitive it becomes to find your way to that mental space. And just as with any skill, neglecting it makes it harder to access.
By practicing regularly, you’ll not only quiet your mind but also gain clarity, emotional resilience, and the ability to stay grounded amid life’s challenges. Meditation is simple yet profound—the hardest thing you’ll ever do, and at the same time, the simplest thing in the world.
