In any classic escape-from-your-captors film, The Great Escape being the definitive example of course, it soon becomes apparent that the world of interest for the guard is the area lit by the search-light. Anything else might as well be in a different universe: it's not reality to them.
We too are constantly sweeping that beam: it's the search-light of attention. Whatever it lights up we notice, we act upon, we give attention to. Nothing happens nor changes without the settling of that light, that attention upon the subject.
Seven considerations:
1. Re-focus attention: where do you want the searchlight to truly fall?
2. A distraction such as the ping of an e-mail is removing your attention.
3. An awful meeting is dulling your attention so that even though the search light has lit upon the subject, it's hard to engage.
4. Peak attention-really getting absorbed in something-allows you to feel good.
5. With practice, peak attention can be maintained for longer periods.
6. With such peak attention comes incredible 'productivity' be that clearing the yard or writing the essay.
7. Peak attention's amazing productivity and desirable feeling of fulfilment tends to more than 'outweigh' the sugar sweet addiction of quick fix fleeting attention on multiple subjects.