I’m The Real Jason Duncan here with the Beyond the Grind blog, where we help entrepreneurs build thriving businesses without sacrificing their freedom. 🚀

Have you ever stopped to think about what’s more valuable—time or money?

Most people would pick one of the two without hesitation.

But here’s the twist: neither of them takes the top spot.

The truth is, attention is the most precious resource you have.

Here's how mastering this principle has completely changed my life.

Why Attention Is More Precious Than Time or Money

Think about it: How many times have you heard that time is your most valuable resource?

It’s limited, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Makes sense, right?

I’ve said it. You’ve said it.

Heck, I’ve even written about it before.

And money?

We’re taught to chase it, protect it, and treat it like the ultimate prize.

After all, isn’t money the key to unlocking freedom and opportunity?

Yes, it is. Money is supremely important. That is true…

But here’s what I’m learning the older I get—and hopefully wiser 😜: what if both of these beliefs are missing the bigger picture?

What if the real reason time slips through your fingers and money doesn’t create the freedom you want is because of something even more valuable?

That something is attention‼️

Without focused attention, time gets wasted, and money doesn’t move the needle.

Attention is the gateway to everything you want in life.

It’s how you create, build, and connect. It’s the real key to freedom.

What Other Experts Say About Attention

Attention has been a hot topic in recent years. Let me briefly mention two authors whose work has sparked conversations around this concept.

Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work, talks about how deep, undistracted focus is the key to creating extraordinary results in a distracted world. He shows how shallow work—like endless emails or multitasking—prevents us from doing the meaningful work that truly moves the needle.

Nir Eyal, in Indistractable, dives into how modern technology hijacks our attention. He explains how distractions—from notifications to social media—keep us from living intentionally and offers strategies for taking control of our focus.

While their work is inspiring and highlights the importance of focus, my take is different.

Here’s the key difference:

For Newport and Eyal, attention is about maximizing productivity or reclaiming control in a distracted world. Both important points!

But I believe attention is bigger than productivity. It’s about creating the kind of freedom we entrepreneurs crave.

Freedom isn’t about working deeply or just avoiding distractions.

It’s about taking back control of your attention and directing it toward the things that truly matter—like building systems, empowering your team, and creating a business that works for you instead of the other way around.

What Do I Mean by “Attention”?

When I say attention is your most precious resource, I’m not just talking about focus or concentration in the way other authors might.

My take goes deeper.

👉👉👉 Attention isn’t just focus—it’s the deliberate allocation of your mental, emotional, and physical energy toward what truly matters.

It’s about making conscious choices about where your time and energy go so they align with your biggest priorities.

It’s not just about eliminating distractions (though that’s part of it).

It’s about recognizing that your attention is finite and treating it like capital that needs to be invested wisely.

Time to Be Honest…

If your attention is scattered across low-value tasks, you’ll waste your time.

If your attention is pulled in too many directions, your energy will drain.

And if your attention isn’t aligned with your purpose, even your best efforts will feel unfulfilling.

Let me give you an example.

Picture a typical day as an entrepreneur:

You start your morning with good intentions. But within an hour, you’re answering emails, fielding random questions from your team, and putting out fires. Before you know it, it’s lunchtime, and you’ve spent your entire morning on reactive tasks that don’t actually move the needle.

That’s what happens when your attention isn’t guarded—it gets hijacked by whatever demands it in the moment.

Now contrast that with this:

Imagine you’ve intentionally planned your day. You dedicate the first three hours to a high-leverage project, like systematizing a key process or strategizing a major growth initiative. You’ve turned off notifications, communicated boundaries with your team, and created a space for deep, uninterrupted work. By the time lunch rolls around, you’ve made real progress on something that matters—and you’re energized instead of drained.

This is the power of reclaiming your attention.

It’s the difference between spinning your wheels on busywork and making meaningful strides toward your goals.

F.O.C.U.S.

After learning this from a mentor of mine, I taught my clients the FOCUS acronym: Follow One Course Until Successful.

I thought it was ingenious and I taught it to my clients for years.

I saw it transform their businesses, but I wasn’t following my own advice.

I was juggling too much—splitting my attention across countless tasks and thinking I needed to work harder to succeed.

It wasn’t until last July that I decided to truly prioritize my attention.

I started asking myself, “What can I eliminate or delegate so I can focus on what really matters?”

I’m not proud to admit that it took me this long to follow my own advice.

But once I did, here’s what happened when I shifted my attention:

✅ My mastermind tripled in membership.
✅ My business and personal finances improved significantly.
✅ I felt more aligned, more intentional, and less stressed.

When you learn to direct your attention intentionally, it’s like “buying” back time you’d otherwise lose to distractions and inefficiency.

Attention Turns Time into Results

Most entrepreneurs think working 50-60 hours a week is a badge of honor. 🎗️

They assume more time equals more output.

But here’s the truth: "It’s not the hours you work—it’s the attention you invest. Attention turns time into results."

When your attention is scattered, even 60 hours can feel wasted—spent putting out fires, reacting to distractions, and doing busywork.

But when your attention is locked on high-value actions, you can achieve in 3-4 hours what others struggle to do in a week.

And that’s where the Law of Addition by Subtraction comes into play.

The Law of Addition by Subtraction

The Law of Addition by Subtraction teaches that doing less—but focusing more strategically—yields far greater results.

Here’s an example from my own life.

In mid-2024, I decided to stop saying yes to tasks that didn’t align with my goals.

I trained my team to take over even more day-to-day operations and automated processes that didn’t need my personal involvement.

That shift allowed me to focus on building systems, growing my mastermind, and creating space for what truly mattered.

The change was incredible❗

✅ My workload decreased, my results skyrocketed 🚀, and I felt more in control of my life and business.

Want to Start Reclaiming Your Attention Right Now?

1️⃣ Audit Your Attention – Track where your focus goes each day and identify distractions.
2️⃣ Apply the Law of Addition by Subtraction – Eliminate, automate, or delegate low-value tasks.
3️⃣ Set Boundaries – Block time for deep work and turn off notifications.
4️⃣ Follow One Course Until Successful – Pick a major goal and commit to it fully.

Attention shapes the quality of your time, your business, and your freedom.

Focus properly, and you’ll reclaim time, reduce stress, and build a business that serves you.

Go beyond the grind,
The Real Jason Duncan 🚀

P.S. If this resonates with you, download my free 10-Block Weekly Scheduling Method at therealjasonduncan.com/10block. This simple tool has been a game-changer for me and my clients!