In the case of attending to a conference call, a presentation, or a lecture, you can start by trying to hold your auditory focus for as long as possible, then by trying again for as long as possible after you recognize a drift in focus. By contrast, consciously tune your attention in and out. Divert by taking a note, visualizing an outcome, making an outline, drawing an illustration or diagram, creating a flow chart. Keep tuning in and out for short periods and use the breaks to process and reinforce what you’re getting by ear.
When you divert consciously, you can keep yourself in the space of the data flow and use your diversions to add value to the auditory data. Use those breaks in auditory attention to comprehend and analyze, imagine applications, synthesize, and evaluate.
In short: to think.
Once again, here’s the sequence of steps toward metacognition:
- Become aware of the start of your attention period
- Become aware of your attention having drifted
- Noted the time durations of your attention periods
- Practice becoming aware of your attention’s drift as close the point of change point as possible.
- Note the new target of your attention
- Log the new targets and look for patterns
- Evaluate whether or not the shift of attention was beneficial
- Practice tuning your attention in and out
- Practice making the attention diversion one that reinforces the goal rather than simply distracts