Why does attention seeking make us unhappy?

Why does attention seeking make us unhappy? I have just watched this brilliant TED talk by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In it he talks about the difference between getting attention and paying attention. When we are paying attention, we are in our creative element, and experiencing flow. Our attention narrows, and we can focus on the one thing that is important to us. When we start craving attention, on the other hand, we become unhappier.

Joseph talks about how it in the interest of social media companies for us to crave attention. We can easily become addicted to the powerful feeling of getting attention. He points out that if our creativity is driven by a desire to get attention, we will never be creatively fulfilled.

Thankfully, when we are experiencing flow, and are focused on something creative, we become happier. Joseph shares his top tip, which is to stop seeing people as competitors, and to collaborate instead. We can then feel part of something bigger than ourselves. I can really relate to this, and I plan to pay closer attention to things in future!

Project 365

I set up this website after deciding that I want to build a more creative life for myself, so I can give up my job and be in control of my own destiny.

I have set myself a goal of publishing an article on my website every day this year, to document my journey from employment to self-employment.

The name I chose was Project 365 because I see this as a year that I have dedicated to learning and self-development, as I countdown to freedom. It started on 1st January 2021, so I have 291 days to go!