Next Stop = Frustration Station

Population: Every dyslexic professional who's ever tried to maintain focus in a world designed for disruption.

Ahh yes, that moment when you finally line up all your ducks, only to watch them scatter.

You carved out time, cleared mental space and found even flow.

Only to have your focus sabotaged by distraction, tech or some other random flub draining your mental bandwidth.

The Cost of Cognition

It's not just about lost time - it's about lost momentum.

Research shows that increased cognitive demand and difficulties in working memory can prolong the the time it takes dyslexics to return to peak focus after interruption.

And when those tasks involve reading and writing, recovery time is even longer.

Width or Width-Out You

Our bandwidth isn't just focus; it’s a delicate mix of excitement, energy, commitment, and patience.

In your mind, you're a smooth operator who bounces back instantly.

In reality? Your mental gearbox sputters, and restarting a task, assignment or project can feel like trying to prep for space travel.

Each setback demands:

  i. Retracing your mental steps

  ii. Rebuilding focus from scratch

  iii. Fighting the urge to quit entirely

The Bandwidth Sandwich

Naturally, any stress and negative emotions make it even harder for dyslexic brains to re-engage with tasks post-interruption.

And as things start breaking down - guess who shows up? Your inner critic:

• "What's the point of even trying?"
  

• "I need to completely overhaul my system”
  

• "Why can't I just power through like everyone else?"

Walk Around the Leaf

When frustration hits, my friend Dr. Diva reminds me to "walk around the leaf." It's her metaphor for calmly assessing setbacks instead of hitting the panic button.

In fact, this piece was born from one of those moments.

Knee-deep in tech tribulations during a Zoom call, I stepped away irritated.

Within minutes of distancing myself and refocusing over lunch, today's newsletter materialized.

From Frustration Station to Even Flow

Here are 5 ways to restore your rhythm after an interruption:

1. Walk away: Distance brings clarity

• Stepping away allows your brain's default mode network (DMN) to activate, the same part responsible for insights and problem-solving
  

• Neuroscientists have found that a brief pause can reset our cognitive filters, helping us return with renewed perspective

2. Switch it up: Change task types or stimuli

• A shift in task or sensory input interrupts the brain's habituation process, where neurons "tire" from repetitive stimuli
  

• By changing focus, you’re engaging new neural circuits, which can break the pattern of frustration and open the door for fresh ideas

3. Buddy up: Share your reboot with someone you trust

• Connecting with a trusted friend or colleague has a calming effect that can lift mental strain
  

• This connection creates a buffer against stress, reinforcing focus and resilience by reminding your brain that it's not facing challenges alone

4. Play the oxygen card: Box breathing resets your system or just get outside

• Popularized by the U.S. Marines as a technique to stay calm and focused under pressure, box breathing—inhaling for four, holding for four, exhaling for four, and holding again—can calm your mind and regain clarity
  

• Or, take a break outside; sunlight and fresh air bring a natural reset

5. Chunks not mountains: Break steps into smaller pieces that fit your focus window

• Chunking allows the brain to process information in manageable “bites,” reducing the load on working memory
  

• This approach is based on the cognitive science principle that small, sequential tasks create a natural rhythm, making it easier to sustain focus and achieve flow

Resilience: Bounce Back Factors

Your bandwidth—that precious capacity to focus, problem-solve, and follow through—isn't infinite, but it's not fixed either.

Each time you avoid sabotage and navigate around Frustration Station, you strengthen your self-trust and reinforce the confidence to restore your flow.

Oh and remember those ducks we watched scatter earlier?

Well, sometimes you need to let things scatter, so they can come back together - better.

Share this piece with another LEX!