Why You’re Distracted (and It’s Not Your Fault): Lessons from Peak Mind

Ever feel like you can’t focus, no matter how hard you try? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In Peak Mind, Dr. Amishi Jha reveals that distraction is an ancient, universal struggle, hardwired into our brains. Our ancestors survived by scanning for threats and opportunities, but in today’s world, this same mechanism is hijacked by endless notifications, newsfeeds, and digital temptations.

Jha shares that even medieval monks, living in silence, complained about wandering thoughts during prayer. Fast-forward to the present, and our attention is the hottest commodity in the global marketplace. Tech giants and advertisers engineer apps to keep us scrolling, swiping, and clicking, turning our focus into profit. Algorithms predict our behavior, serving up content that’s irresistible to our ancient wiring.

But there’s good news: you can take back control. Jha’s research shows that mindfulness—paying attention to your attention—can help you notice when you’ve drifted and return to the now. The key is not to fight your mind, but to work with it, using gentle awareness and compassion.

Don’t blame yourself for being distracted. Instead, recognize the forces at play and build new habits. With practice, you can reclaim your focus, boost your productivity, and find peace in a noisy world. Distraction may be natural—but so is your ability to overcome it.