Principlev1

When cognitive capacity is exceeded, concentrating resources

When cognitive capacity is exceeded, concentrating resources on vital-few priorities produces more total progress than distributing attention equally across all demands.

Why This Is a Principle

Grounded in Working Memory Capacity Limit (working memory limits), Directed Attention as Depletable Resource (finite cognitive resources), and Task-switching generates attention residue that persists (switching costs). This derives the Pareto principle for cognitive work: when overloaded, concentration beats distribution because context-switching and shallow engagement prevent threshold-level progress on anything.

Source Lessons

L-0696

Priority simplification

When overwhelmed reduce your active priorities to the absolute minimum viable set.

Connections

Derived From (3)

AxiomWorking Memory Capacity Limit AxiomDirected Attention as Depletable Resource AxiomTask-switching generates attention residue that persists

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