Domain: Avoidance & Delay Loops 3-5 min read Updated: 2026-01-15

When Attention Slips Sideways

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Attention slips

sideways,

not away.

It curves

instead of

stopping.

This is how

the mind

protects itself

without declaring

avoidance.

Let the bend

exist.

You are still

on the path,

just at

a gentler angle.

Normalize subtle avoidance with DojoWell.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I start a task but then my mind drifts to something totally unrelated. Is my focus broken?

No, your "Attention is Slipping Sideways." Subtle avoidance often hides in these sideways shifts. In the Meaning Density Model™, this is a common human response to "High-Density" requirements. Your Integrator is looking for a "Lower-Density" path to follow. Recognizing that "sideways focus" is a natural regulatory attempt helps you stay "Regulated" even when you aren't "Productive."

Is "sideways focus" the same as being distracted?

It's more specific. Distraction is being pulled by an external signal; sideways focus is an internal slide away from pressure. DojoWell teaches that by noticing the "Slide," you can catch it earlier. Don't fight the drift; just notice it. "Ah, my attention is moving sideways." This awareness alone often provides enough "Structural Stability" to help the mind return to the center without a struggle.

When Attention Slips Sideways