Attention (b)Log

As part of this week’s module, we were given the option of keeping an attention log. In this log we have been asked to notate 9 things.

1. Date

2. Description of physical space and device

3. Duration of session

4. What occurred

5. What you did

6. How you felt

7. What worked

8.  What did not work

9. Other comments

The requirements were to document at least 5 sessions lasting at least 15 minutes each. My sessions took place between October 30th and November 1st. The first of these sessions lasted only 20 minutes, followed by another 20 minute session, two 25 minute sessions, and a 30 minute session. There were many commonalities among these sessions. For instance,  in each of these sessions I was at home and was using my smartphone. Additionally, when I began each of these sessions I happened to already be engaged in doing something else, such as homework, cleaning, or watching a show on television and was distracted from that task in order to do something quite unimportant. In each of these sessions I scrolled through Facebook or Twitter. On one occasion I watched YouTube videos. During my sessions, I completely lost track of time. In fact, I felt as if I was completely sucked into another world and out of touch with reality. I also had the feeling of guilt or as if I could have spent that time doing something much more productive. I do however feel as if these sessions were a sort of “break” for myself, like I was taking an abbreviated mental vacation.

In addition to doing the attention log to track my online activity, I downloaded an app called Quality Time that monitors how many times you use your phone, how long you are on your phone each day, and how much time you spend on each separate app that you have on your phone. I feel like this app may be a useful tool for me because it will make me aware of my habits and therefore make me want to improve upon those habits. The habit I would like to break most is using my phone or apps on my phone while I am spending time with family or attending my children’s sporting events. I think that I tend to try to do too much at once and my attention can become spread thin however, I am almost certain now that this is not something uncommon among teenagers and adults alike.