Stolen Focus: Why you can’t pay attention
Are you interested in new ideas to grow and develop yourself and your business?
Join us for the next Chamber Business Book Club on 28 January - it’s for people who love to learn, want to get new perspectives on business and personal development – and would also like to meet other like-minded individuals.
The book we’re reading for the January Book Club is Stolen Focus: Why you can’t pay attention by Johann Hari.
All over the world, our ability to pay attention is collapsing. Stats suggest that the average office workers now focus on one task for only three minutes. We think our inability to focus is a personal failing – a flaw in each one of us. We think we can solve it by leaving our mobile phone downstairs at night, switching to written news, not digital media and quitting social media altogether. These things might help, but Hari suggests it’s not a personal failing. It’s being done to us – by powerful external forces.
In this book he explores how and what is causing this terrifying attention crisis, and what we can do about it, from changing habits to how we consume information. This book is all about how to get our focus back and help us think deeply again.
So, grab yourself a drink, get comfortable and join us online for an hour and a half of thought-provoking book and business chat.
About the event
Amy Lishman, Head of Member Engagement & Deputy CEO at Brighton Chamber, facilitates the discussion and shares prompts and questions about the themes and topics for you to reflect upon. Hosted on Zoom, the Chamber Book Club happens every three months.
We’ll send you a synopsis of the book a couple of weeks in advance, to get you thinking about what you might contribute on the night. You do not need to have come to the previous Book Clubs to attend.
Being part of the Business Book Club will get you delving into that pile of books – and introduce you to new titles that are not yet on your reading list.
You can buy the book from any good retailer. City Books has an excellent selection of business books. You can buy over the phone from them or online through https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/city-books - or, Bookshop.org is an online bookshop that supports independent bookshops.
Books we’re read previously:
Great by Choice by Jim Collins
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Quiet by Susan Cain
Belonging by Owen Eastwood
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams
Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed
Thanks to our sponsor: Warren House Chartered Accountants
WHA isn’t just an accountancy practice, we offer something different through our distinct business culture, which focuses on people first. This means we deliver services in a more personal way than most accountants have historically done. Think of us as Financial Engineers rather than Accountants. To find out more, get in touch with the team.
FAQs
What's the refund policy?
Places are limited, and events are usually oversubscribed. Please give two working days’ notice via email for a refund* or you’ll be required to pay for your place in full.
*Eventbrite booking fees are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or there are duplicate charges.
Can I attend if I am not a member of the Chamber?
If you have never been a member of the Chamber you can book and join as a guest at two of our events (just one Chamber Breakfast). After this, you will need to join the Chamber to enjoy the benefits of membership. If you'd like to join the Chamber you can find out more on our website.
How do I find out about other upcoming events and news?
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