Some people can't focus because the part of their brain that helps them focus has atrophy from non-use. The advent of television computers and other visual stimulant media is largely to blame. People tend to lose interest in something that is not presented in a visually stimulating format. Pediatrician Dr. Jane Healy writes – The compelling visual nature of media stimulus blocks the development of left hemisphere language circuitry. A young brain manipulated by jazzy visual affects cannot divide attention to listen carefully to language. More over the two minute mind easily becomes inpatient with any material requiring depth of processing. The person who trains himself to be a reader gains an absolute competitive advantage over non-readers.
Readers become more successful not only because of the information they read but because the process of reading develops an important part of brain function. Reading teaches us to think in logically connected ways. It cultivates sustained attention span and readers learn to think in terms of abstract ideas, objective truth, and sustained reflection. When this is replaced with graphic imagery like television, especially commercials and movies, there is a tendency towards shorter attention spans and a purely emotional response to what is offered. Once addicted to graphical stimulation there is an increased demand for constant entertaining stimulation that can hinder the capacity for delayed gratification. If you are a leader of the team take note of this, get your people reading not just for the content but also to expand the processing part of their brains. Readers will less likely need your attention as challenges arise and their developed capacity to process issues serves them in such times. What others see as severe problems, readers normalize as par for the course.
