The British Chamber of Commerce’s “Our stolen attention” breakfast event began with welcoming remarks from Philippe Galen of Luxembourg School of Business and Claudia Neumeister from the BCC People and Leadership Group. Their introductions set the scene, advising that it was not about the rights and wrongs of any of the issues. It was about getting them out into the open so attendees could understand more clearly whether, as humans, we all faced a very difficult moment in world history. Since external events were affecting our attention at home and at work, the question was what could be done about it.

Then I had the audience experiencing how the mind can have a powerful effect on our bodies. Hearing and seeing things which are distasteful can have a profound effect on us. By using visualisation exercises and stories we evoked sensations and physical reactions in those present. Global conflict, migration, politics, pandemics, AI and global warming were some of the topics highlighted as likely to be on our minds and keeping us distracted. However, the fake tarantula in a box caused particular consternation for some and highlighted that our physical reactions can be the same whether something is real, or not. While peppered with humour, the message was serious: ‘It’s not about the rights and wrongs of the issues: it’s about the cumulative effect these many issues are having on us.”

Before turning to how we could keep our attention focused while everyone around us seemed to be losing theirs, I referenced the Doomsday Clock. Set up by influential global scientists in 1947 after the horrors of the nuclear bombs of World War II, the clock originally had its hands set at 7 minutes to midnight--the time when the world as we know it would end. The clock, which exists at the University of Chicago, is adjusted by world scientists each year and takes into account the many possibilities that could cause the end of civilization. As at January 2024 it is at 90 seconds to midnight, signifying the closest we have yet been to catastrophe.

Inviting everyone to get up from their seats and move to a large open space, it was Virginia Anderson’s turn to give participants the opportunity to be imaginative and active in proposing solutions to the stress of the various issues highlighted. Based on systemic coaching, she led everyone through a so-called “Deep Democracy” exercise. With a great deal of flair and imagination, participants readily adopted imaginary roles, ranging from the Dalai Lama and a fitness trainer to abstract concepts like nature, optimism and even a tree.

The idea was for participants to walk towards or away from these imagined roles and to open their minds for deeper discussions. It was a genuinely thought provoking and fun half an hour, followed by an emotional debrief where individuals expressed their feelings in one word. Responses including “grateful,” “fulfilled,” “happy” and “here,” which revealed something incredibly powerful about the collective human spirit and the pleasure in working together.

Virginia closed her session acknowledging the power in the group and that participants had essentially offered practical solutions for coping with the distractions of modern life. This included the benefits of reducing social media use and finding purpose in stress. The general consensus was that conversations about the various distractions causing our stress are valuable and that human connection was essential.

I then concluded the event on a positive note by inviting participants to imagine themselves 30 years into the future. At that point, I surmised, we would all be wishing we were the age we are now and living the life we have today, notably younger and probably in better health. We cannot change things which we have no influence over. But there are many everyday positives which we now enjoy--such as the availability of hot showers, ample food and the ability to communicate instantly with loved ones almost anywhere in the world at any time. Maybe, it was simply best to live as attentively and gratefully as we could while in the present moment.

Dr , a career coach and mentoring consultant, is a member of the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg’s people and leadership .