It's maybe a little fashionable to use terms like "information overload" and that all our technology is making us less productive. I'm starting to buy into this theory a little more though. I'm having a lot of trouble keeping myself focused on any one task for an extended period of time. I constantly jump between task A to task B to check email C, making a little progress here and there, but I think I'm hurting myself with all these context switches. I can't seem to stop myself anytime I have to wait for something (even very briefly), my focus switches to something else.
The most problems are at work. Now I'm fairly sure the environment has a lot to do with it. It's an open concept type, with a few cubicle walls here and there. People are constantly interrupting me with questions and random conversations can break out frequently. For the most part I really like these aspects, but it can be very hard to concentrate on a task. Home isn't much better though. I have trouble just concentrating on one task, I almost always have a movie or TV going at the same time, and I can't seem to turn it off.
I also have so many half finished projects and good ideas (or so I'd like to believe) that I never get around to getting anywhere with out. I'm really enjoying my 日本語 classes, but I don't put in the time I should to improve (I'm jealous of![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
mricon's dedication to 中国語).
Do other people feel like this? Does anyone have tips to better allow one to concentrate on a single task at a time, and better follow through on tasks? I mean there are some obvious things I should be doing, but I'm having trouble with those even. Outside the box ideas?
The most problems are at work. Now I'm fairly sure the environment has a lot to do with it. It's an open concept type, with a few cubicle walls here and there. People are constantly interrupting me with questions and random conversations can break out frequently. For the most part I really like these aspects, but it can be very hard to concentrate on a task. Home isn't much better though. I have trouble just concentrating on one task, I almost always have a movie or TV going at the same time, and I can't seem to turn it off.
I also have so many half finished projects and good ideas (or so I'd like to believe) that I never get around to getting anywhere with out. I'm really enjoying my 日本語 classes, but I don't put in the time I should to improve (I'm jealous of
mricon's dedication to 中国語).Do other people feel like this? Does anyone have tips to better allow one to concentrate on a single task at a time, and better follow through on tasks? I mean there are some obvious things I should be doing, but I'm having trouble with those even. Outside the box ideas?
It's really the only way. Especially since everybody else is busy doing context switches as well.
And at home I'm mostly distracted by shiny things on the net, or the latest episode of ナルト.
This may not be easy to do, but it is quite effective. My mouth can say this phrase on auto-pilot now.
look! a chicken!
Re: look! a chicken!
Re: look! a chicken!
... as for attention span... the work "queue" is a good idea... making a list of what you should do that day (work or home) and sticking with it... depends on your style though, but best of luck with it.
C.
Deadlines
Ethan