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# Continuous Partial Attention
- URL: https://www.dashhouse.com/2013109continuous-partial-attention/
- Published: 2013-10-09T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-15T15:25:16.000Z
- Author: Darryl Dash
- Tags: Blog, Life, Technology, #DashHouseCom, #wp

[Daniel Goleman](http://danielgoleman.info/?ref=dashhouse.com) mentions a phrase in his new book *[Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062114867/dashhouse-20?ref=dashhouse.com)*. It’s “continuous partial attention.” It’s not a new phrase; it’s supposedly been around for some 15 years. But it is both descriptive and damning at the same time.

[![](https://www.dashhouse.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/focus-cover.jpg)](https://go.dashho.us/xmW?ref=dashhouse.com)

Continuous partial attention means that we are paying attention to many things, but at a superficial level. We’re never completely tuning in to one thing because of the other stimuli competing for our attention.

- It’s checking in on Facebook while the professor lectures.
- It’s pulling out the smartphone while on a date with your wife.
- It’s tweeting in the middle of a sermon.
- It’s missing out on what’s here because we’re wondering what’s going on somewhere else that we’re missing.
- It’s never being able to pray because we’re too distracted.

What’s lost is the ability to pay attention, to sustain thought, to be fully present. And that’s a shame when it comes to our most important relationships, not to mention our ability to think and pray.

I know two things. One: this is not a good way to live. Two: it’s dangerous to the soul. Could this be one of the greatest pastoral issues that we are facing today?