A weekly newsletter to help high achievers (a.k.a over-achievers) reach their potential and make a difference.
If time is like gold, then attention is like rhodium.
Never heard of rhodium? You're not alone. As of December 2024, rhodium was worth $4,575 per Troy Ounce compared to gold's $2,599. It's literally the most precious metal on earth.
Attention works the same way—it's far more valuable than even your time.
We've all heard Warren Buffet's famous quote about being able to buy anything but time. But I'm convinced there's something even more precious than time: your focused attention.
Think about it. You can give someone your time without being present. But you can't give your attention without investing time. One father's story illustrates this perfectly:
After digging through old journals, he found two very different accounts of the same fishing trip. His entry read: "Wasted the whole day fishing with Jimmy. Didn't catch a thing." His six-year-old son's journal told a different story. In large, scrawling letters pressed deeply into the paper: "Went fishing with my dad. Best day of my life."
Two people in the same place with a different focus.
The most successful leaders I know aren't necessarily masters of time management - they're masters of attention management.
Time management is important, but attention management is game-changing.
The best leaders, parents, spouses, and friends understand that:
- Attention is impossible without time
- But time doesn't guarantee attention
- The best things in life require both
Be honest with yourself and stop saying you don’t have time because what you really mean is I’m choosing to give my attention to something else.
And that’s the truth.
From Time Management to Attention Mastery
What's one relationship that would transform with more of your genuine attention?
Choose one important conversation in the next 48 hours. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb (better yet, leave it in your car or turn it off) and give it your complete attention. Notice the difference this makes and journal one page about it.
Until next time,
PS - Great writing takes time. Buy Me a Coffee so I can keep creating.
