Driven to Distraction

Apr 18
Amy

dis * trac * tion

1    : the act of distracting or the state of being distracted especially : mental confusion.

2   : something that distracts; especially : amusement

What distracts you?

Distraction is something that slows dow your progress, and even decreases your productivity.    You might not know when you are distracted – that is how distraction works.  To distract you from focus without realizing it – only when you realize the distraction will you realize how much time has been wasted.

It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants.  The question, is what are we busy about?
Henry David Thoreau

Our daily lives are full of endless general activities that serve as distractions – work, family, activities, sports, school, etc.  Combine them with the added diversions of cell phones, computers, the Internet, TV, and social activities, and you have quite a challenge.  On top of that, with all these outside sources of distraction, when do you have time for yourself?  Distractions will force you off course and cause a big problem.

At least if you’re me, they do.

When I was working full-time, I was REALLY good at multi-tasking.  I’m not being egotistical here, either, I really was very good at it and with staying on top of all the distractions in our lives.  Unfortunately, now that I am not working I have all the time in the world to accomplish the items on my to-do list every day, and I can’t seem to get them done.  I find myself moving around the house like a ping-pong ball, starting multiple tasks, but not completing any of them.  In noticing my tendency to bounce around, I realized that having a full-time job forced me to manage my time more efficiently.  With that realization came a decision.  Knowing I need structure to help me out, I made myself a daily schedule.  Each day has a different household “chore”, homework, job search, etc.  Basically, I have scheduled my at-home life as though it were a full-time job.

If you chase two rabbits at the same time, both will escape and you gain nothing.

I am trying very hard to stay focused and follow my schedule so I am able to stay on top of all the tasks I need to accomplish every day.  Some days it’s very hard, and I don’t manage to get it all done, but the schedule has helped me a great deal, and I will be sticking with it unless I find something better.