Imagine Goals

The premise is interesting but will it really work in scenarios where taking a break is not the answer. People are distracted because the background process won't quit, because its relates to a problem that they cannot solve with or without a break. Say you have a loved one who is fighting for their life. Their doctor gives them 50/50 odds to live or die. That will become your background process as you wonder what if anything you or someone else can do to help improve their odds of survival. You are distracted and when you take a break you will likely redouble your effort to solve the problem that might be unsolvable. But the idea could have other uses:

Inside the Neurable app is a little video game that lets you fly a rocket ship with your brain — and serves as a proof of concept. The trick is you have to focus on a set of numbers on the screen. The more intensely you focus, the higher the numbers go, and the faster the rocket ship flies. If you start to get distracted by, say, thinking about flying an actual rocket ship, the numbers go down, and the rocket ship slows. It’s one of the coolest innovations I’ve ever seen, if only because it’s so simple.

Imagine the outcome of the focus was to achieve more meaningful goals. Say a disabled person was able to focus on the numbers to initiate a conversation with a loved one or ask their caregiver for help. Maybe the victim in a domestic violence situation is able to call the police. Maybe not a cure for distraction in those situations but being able to use your mind to get work done on your behalf could be incredibly useful.