Started reading about monotropism and wow, that does resonate. For instance, getting stuck on one thought in a meeting and if there's no right time to say it -- often there isn't as there's usually someone else to take the space -- it takes a while to let that thought go. When the topic shifts -- it might even be a relatively slight shift -- I have hard time getting on top of the new topic.
I was especially interested to read about how affect and motivation affect (no pun intended) attention. If something is interesting (positive affect), there's high motivation to work on that. If something isn't interesting (no positive affect), the motivation might be to cope in the situation. Then the actual situation flies past.
When I'm working on certain job or hobby projects, they are rewarding in themselves. I've got no problem staying focused on them even longer than I've reserved time. But then there are things such as meetings, lectures and talks where I often struggle to stay focused, especially if it's not super interesting.
In these situations, when the focus starts to get lost, my motivation shifts to trying to stay focused. I start missing what is being said. I can feel the tiredness approaching and I start pinching myself to stay awake. I register even less. I might start falling into hypnagogic state which has happened so many times that I've learned to doze off without my head falling.
I have to find new ways to focus in those situations. Or if it's not important for my work, to give myself permission to do something else such as doodle in my notebook.
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