Escaping the Scroll: Taking Back Control | Margarita Petryashova | TEDxTrinity Private School Youth

[00:00:02]When I first started to get ready for the speech, my main goal was to focus.

[00:00:06]After 3 minutes, I went to manage back to see what homework I had for the next day. Then I went to my social media to save TikTok streaks with my friends.

[00:00:15]That's when I saw a video about medieval costumes, so I decided to watch the whole recording of the event. And suddenly, they were past and I haven't written a single line. So, today I want to talk about focus and why doing one thing at a time is becoming so difficult. How can we start focusing on the thing on one thing without being distracted? Actually, the answer is in the question. First of all, you need to decide what distracts you. And usually, it is your phone. I know how hard it is to concentrate when your phone is within reach. It can be turned off or face down, but it constantly makes you wonder maybe you miss something important. Or it is just your brain that needs a dose of happiness, which is called dopamine.

[00:01:03]Dopamine is released in anticipation of a reward. So, you haven't started doomscrolling yet, but your brain is already ready to use this time as a break and relaxation.

[00:01:14]But the problem is that our brains gets too used to this fast dopamine. One swipe, one video, one laugh, and then immediately another one. The feeling disappears almost instantly, so we keep scrolling for more.

[00:01:30]But there's also something called slow dopamine. It is the kind of happiness that stays with you much longer. For example, you finished your school project or you had a great conversation with your friends or family member or you watched a really nice movie with your family.

[00:01:45]Fast dopamine gives you quick pleasure.

[00:01:47]Slow dopamine gives satisfaction.

[00:01:49]While you're scrolling, your brain is uh scrolling destroys your focus and it's becoming hard for you to focus on something long. For example, it is hard for you to watch a movie without playing Block Blast or watching TikTok.

[00:02:05]There was a series of experiments where college students were divided into three groups. The first group was asked to put their phone in another room. Second group was asked to put their phone in the back, and the last group was asked to put their phone on the table. Then they gave them the test required on focus and attention. And guess what?

[00:02:24]The study showed that people best focused when their phone was in another room and worst when it was right next to them on the desk, even if it was turned off or face down.

[00:02:34]Researchers call this effect brain drain because just having a phone nearby can quickly reduce our ability to think and concentrate.

[00:02:43]So, while you're working or studying, you need to try to avoid all the triggers.

[00:02:49]So, is your phone, and try to focus on just one thing.

[00:02:53]When your phone is near you, you're dividing your attention and your brain is feeling overwhelmed because you're thinking you need to do this, but also the phone makes you feel that you miss something important.

[00:03:06]So, do just one thing at a time. Do not try to do too many at once.

[00:03:11]You need to list the task you want to do from the most important to the least important one and start doing just one thing. Don't try to do multiple tasks.

[00:03:19]It will not make you productive.

[00:03:21]Doing just one thing at a time will make you much product more productive.

[00:03:26]Because when you're giving all your attention to just one thing, you're trying to give the best result to just one thing.

[00:03:33]Stop uh thinking about other things. You will but after.

[00:03:37]So, we cannot lose ourselves because of short videos and fast information and quick doses of dopamine.

[00:03:46]I'm not telling you that from this day I will stop using my TikTok or Instagram because it will be a lie. I really like short funny videos, but I want to tell you that from this day I will start doing things things that will bring me pleasure such as reading, watching movies, and spending time with my friends.

[00:04:03]Focus is about choosing where your attention goes. And if we can't choose it ourselves, our phones and social media will choose it for us. Thank you for attention.