The Attraction of the New

Even if you are not a racing fan, you can't help but be interested in yesterday's Daytona 500 winner, rookie Trevor Bayne. We pay attention to the new. The new attracts us, and wow! was everything new for Trevor. In only his second Sprint Car start, the 20-year old Bayne stunned NASCAR's biggest names with a thrilling overtime win. He held off such racing greats as Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, and Kurt Busch, who had a total of 74 years of racing experience without a Daytona 500 victory.

We admire the person who accomplishes something big for the first time. Those kinds of events hold our attention. For most professional race car drivers, winning the Daytona 500 is a career culminating event, not their first victory.

One of the ways to improve attention—and of course improving attention is my emphasis in many of my presentations—is to look for the new during your routine activities throughout the day. A new restaurant, a new highway billboard, or a new way to work might catch your eye.  

Clear your mind by attending a new movie, a play, or an art exhibit. This will give your mind a break from the mundane, and refresh your thinking in general.

Bask in the euphoria of Trevor Bayne (even his name invites newness) because he gives us the warm positive feelings of the new!

Steve Boyd
Steve Boyd
Stephen D. Boyd, Ph.D., CSP, is Professor Emeritus of Speech Communication, College of Informatics, Northern Kentucky University, near Cincinnati. Steve won the Toastmasters International Speech Contest in 1970 and was chosen Outstanding Professor of the Year at NKU in 1984, among other awards and honors. Since retiring, he volunteers with nonprofits, spends time with family, travels, preaches occasionally, and enjoys reading and writing. Contact Steve at (859) 866-5693 or at steveboyd111@gmail.com.

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