The most basic way to get someone's attention is this: Break a pattern.

If I already intuitively "get" what you're trying to tell me, why should I obsess about remembering it? The danger, of course, is that what sounds like common sense often isn't.... It's your job, as a communicator, to expose the parts of your message that are uncommon sense.
(p.72)

If forensic analysts confiscated your calendar and e-mail records and Web browsing history for the past six months, what would they conclude are your core priorities?

Anger prepares us to fight and fear prepares us to flee.

Cultivate the habit of attention and try to gain opportunities to hear wise men and women talk. Indifference and inattention are the two most dangerous monsters that your ever meet. Interest and attention will insure to you an education.

Life has the habit of throwing curve balls to determine if you are paying attention.