Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life

I read this book twice so far and I think the message is critically important for todays world. Our lives are largely what we pay attention to, and that attention is constantly drawn by outside influences. This book helped me to see that and to be able to focus on what's important to me - not just outside distractions.

You are what you pay attention to: how you use free time, on what you focus in day to day life, and how you react to and take in the external world. Rapt is a mix of anecdotes and physiological research packaged in one approachable read for the layman. Winifred Gallagher does not provide any grand unifying theories, or breakthroughs on the subject, but does a great job of providing a solid summary of the state of research on the subject of attention - which, to be honest, is surprisingly thin. If you're familiar with the concept of "Flow", or a GTD commando, you will find a lot of overlap and similar ideas in this book. It's an easy and enjoyable read, which also helped me identify a few 'mind hacks' and patterns that will help me make better use of my time and attention.

Winifred Gallagher's RAPT clears a path for those of us hacking through life's jungle. The clarity of Gallagher's map seems particularly useful to readers in middle-age, as we balance aging and ill parents, confounding and challenging children, physical limitations, and the world-wide economic woes with personal goals and dreams. However, the practice of rapt attention is not an agist activity; if you can read the book, you are old or young enough to use the experience. Leading with a quote from William James, "My experience is what I agree to attend to.", Gallagher takes her reader gently through life's many aspects citing scientific and anecdotal evidence for the attentive life. Rapt attention to the positive can be a healthy and defining choice during our hectic days. Ms. Gallagher has done the work, her readers can reap the benefits.

This book confirmed things I already knew or suspected but hadn't taken the time to really think about. That in itself is one of the primary points of the book, focusing, or paying rapt attention to situations. I have already noticed changes in how I go about my daily activities. This would be particularly good reading for teens and young adults, if only you could get them to pay attention long enough to read it. I was impressed enough that I am now starting on Winifred Gallagher's book "The Power Of Place"The Power of Place: How Our Surroundings Shape Our Thoughts, Emotions, and Actions (P.S.).

Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life After seeing Winifred Gallagher in person speaking on the topic, I had to buy the book. She is a gifted author; gifted with words, clarity of expression, descriptive language, personal anecdotes, insight, wisdom. I valued her background and research on the subject, adding a richness of validity to her remarks. Not a fast read, but a deep read.