Partly because the better-known outfits get more deals, take more chances -- and spread their attention more thinly.

FORBES: Status seekers

These are just three examples of how a savvy investor can cherry pick their favorite investment ideas from mutual fund managers to lower their investment expenses, but be cautioned, this strategy will take more of your time and attention as well.

FORBES: Dissecting The Forbes Honor Roll Using ETFs

On an individual tour, the professional tour guide can give you more attention and can take you to important sections of the Museums that are usually not included in the standard itineraries (like the Pinacoteca Vaticana art gallery).

FORBES: Tips For Visiting The Vatican

"We take soil for granted, but we need to pay more attention to it, " she says.

BBC: Antarctic nematodes and climate change

Liquidity will take on a new meaning in company finances as water scarcity gains more attention from managers and investors.

ECONOMIST: 2012 in focus

Strictly defined, Private Health isn't part of the growing phenomenon known as concierge medicine, where doctors charge a retainer for more face-time and personal attention, and often take their practices off the commercial and government payment grid.

WSJ: The Weekend Interview with Leslie Michelson: Doctor to the 1% (and Maybe Someday to You)

Smaller OTT messaging apps may find that by being close to the ground with their user base and able to introduce features more quickly, they can evolve into popular destinations that take attention away from Facebook on mobile devices.

FORBES: Nimble Messaging Apps Could Challenge Facebook's Mobile Success

Their reactions, though, have alternated over the years between insisting that reforms had already been made and stalling for time by stating that the reforms would take several years more to complete, maybe banking on the hope that American attention would drift.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

But in Africa, basketball must compete for attention with already established sports, making it even more challenging to encourage young people to take up the game.

CNN: Nigerian NBA boss finding Africa's basketball stars