Attention Span
Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness & Productivity by Gloria Mark, PhD
What This Is 🤔
A research-driven exploration of how attention actually works in the modern world — and why distraction is not a personal failure but a structural condition. Drawing on decades of empirical research, Gloria Mark explains how fragmented attention affects stress, emotions, well-being, and performance.
What It’s For 🎯
This book helps readers:
Understand the true mechanics of attention and distraction
Recognize the emotional cost of constant task-switching
Reduce stress and burnout linked to digital overload
Build healthier attention habits at work and in daily life
Design environments that support focus rather than fight it
It is especially relevant for knowledge workers, leaders, educators, and students navigating high-interruption environments.
What You’ll Find Inside 🧰
The book combines:
Longitudinal research on attention, stress, and productivity
Clear explanations of task-switching and cognitive load
Insights into how emotions and attention are intertwined
Practical, evidence-based strategies for restoring balance
Real-world examples from workplaces and everyday life
Rather than advocating digital detox or extreme solutions, the book focuses on realistic, sustainable changes.
How to Use It 🧭
This book works well as:
A practical guide for improving focus and well-being at work
Background reading for leadership, productivity, or future-of-work courses
A research anchor for conversations about digital overload
A complement to mindfulness and attention-training practices
It can be read linearly or revisited by chapter as specific attention challenges arise.
Key Takeaways 💡
Attention is shaped by environments, not just willpower
Frequent interruptions increase stress and emotional volatility
Multitasking is largely a myth
Small changes can significantly improve focus and recovery
Sustainable productivity requires emotional as well as cognitive balance
Pro Tips 🧠
Notice how emotional state and attention fluctuate together
Experiment with environmental changes before blaming habits
Pair insights from the book with short reflection or journaling
Use the research to depersonalize distraction in teams (“it’s not you”)