---
title: "Time and Attention"
id: "1108"
type: "post"
slug: "time-and-attention"
published_at: "2010-05-23T21:33:13+00:00"
modified_at: "2010-05-23T21:33:13+00:00"
url: "https://johnpoelstra.com/time-and-attention/"
markdown_url: "https://johnpoelstra.com/time-and-attention.md"
excerpt: "In a previous post I talked about using time. It is a topic I think about a lot because it often feels in short supply. I know a good part of this is my own doing. I value a lot..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Productivity"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "43folders"
  - "attention"
  - "inbox zero"
  - "merlin mann"
  - "respect"
  - "time"
---

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# [Time and Attention](https://johnpoelstra.com/time-and-attention/)

In a previous post I talked about [using time](https://johnpoelstra.com/2010/05/21/time-netflix-drifting-and-coffee/)
. It is a topic I think about a lot because it often feels in short supply. I know a good part of this is my own doing. I value a lot of things that require solid blocks of time.

It takes time to eat well. It takes time to get enough sleep. It takes time to exercise (when I do). It takes time to take time to build and deepen relationships with people I want to be to be close to. It takes time to achieve excellence.

When it comes to the workplace and email, Merlin Mann had some great insights and thoughts in his [recent talk about time and attention](http://www.43folders.com/2010/04/27/impro-talk)
. If you are a knowledge worker or work in a culture that is highly dependent on email, I highly recommend listening to it.

#### John Poelstra

[Author archive](https://johnpoelstra.com/author/john-poelstra/)

May 23, 2010

[Productivity](https://johnpoelstra.com/category/productivity/)

[43folders](https://johnpoelstra.com/tag/43folders/)
, [attention](https://johnpoelstra.com/tag/attention/)
, [inbox zero](https://johnpoelstra.com/tag/inbox-zero/)
, [merlin mann](https://johnpoelstra.com/tag/merlin-mann/)
, [respect](https://johnpoelstra.com/tag/respect/)
, [time](https://johnpoelstra.com/tag/time/)

[Previous post](https://johnpoelstra.com/time-netflix-drifting-and-coffee/)
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## 1 Comment

## [Add yours](#respond)

1. [Scott Lavender](http://dullass.blogspot.com/) [May 24, 2010 at 9:29 am](https://johnpoelstra.com/time-and-attention/#comment-267) [Reply](#comment-267) The Merlin talk was incredible. I tend to be goal oriented so he was preaching to the choir anyway, but it was a powerful discussion nonetheless. By the way, I work with the Ubuntu Studio developers but I really enjoy reading about your travails with Fedora 🙂 [Reply](#comment-267)

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1. [Respecting Time and Attention « John Poelstra](http://johnpoelstra.com/?p=1132)

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