Staying with a task and noticing when you drift

You can look at a page for several minutes without following what it says. You can also remain still in a meeting while your thoughts move to something unrelated. Being physically present is different from keeping attention on the task.

Sustained attention means maintaining attention over time in a way that serves an activity. What this requires varies. Listening for a rare signal is different from reading an explanation, solving a problem, or taking part in a conversation.

This lesson examines how attention drifts, how to notice that drift, and how to return without turning an ordinary lapse into a judgment about your character.