It was the most embarrassing moment of my professional career.
A few weeks before deadline, my boss asked for a progress report on the current project. Not only was getting this project finished important, but it was also crucial for ability to move onto the next one.
I expected to get reamed out for being so far behind. My boss, understanding human psychology, didn’t do that. Instead she said the same thing our mothers say: “I’m not mad; I’m just disappointed.” She followed up by asking what was wrong, and what she could do to help. The problem, of course, was with me.
The process of distraction starts so innocently. It’s just checking Twitter a few times, and then loading Facebook. Then it mounts and builds. It’s checking my smartphone at every little notice. It’s browsing around the web, because hey, someone might have posted something new in the last three minutes.
The trouble with eliminating distraction
There is no shortage of advice on the internet about how to eliminate distractions. Much of this advice goes specifically to writers. We’re apparently an easily distractible bunch. But that advice just wasn’t working for me.
The problem is that each person’s distraction problem is different. We might be distracted by the same things, but the distractions appear for different reasons. For some of us, the most distracting aspects of the web are necessities.
When trying to solve my distraction problem I came across a wonderful post at Write To Done, titled, “How to Write Without Distractions.” Perfect, right? Unfortunately, I was working on a marketing job for a client, and needed their webpage open. Turning off the internet, then, wasn’t an option.
I needed something a bit more customized to my writing needs.
Eliminating the unnecessary
If an internet connection is necessary for your writing process, then the only way to eliminate internet-based distractions is to find the specific sources. What are the things that distract you the most?
For me it was a small handful of items:
- Gmail and GChat
- Blog comments
- Web surfing
- Smartphone notifications
The top item is easy enough. Sure, I love Twitter, but it’s a real attention hog. Simply closing my Twitter client instantly eliminated that distraction. And you know what? I didn’t really miss all those 140-character messages scrolling by.
Similarly, email and instant messaging is easy enough to eliminate. You just have to answer one question: When was the last time that you got an email that, if not responded to immediately, would bring dire consequences? Chances are, the answer is never. Email is a terrible medium for instant interactions. If someone has something of immense importance, they should probably call me anyway.
Like many bloggers, I’m obsessed with checking comments on posts I write. At one of my blogs, a baseball blog about the New York Yankees, we get 50, sometimes 100 comments on posts. It’s addicting to go back and see what people are saying. But it’s distracting, too. To eliminate this distraction I actually had to install a Google Chrome extension that disallows my from visiting that site without entering some 24-character string.
(Perhaps more importantly, it taught me that something else was amiss. More on that in a moment.)
That Chrome extension did help curb my web surfing, since I could block sites that typically draw my attention. No Facebook, no Twitter, none of my own blogs, etc. But really, web surfing was going to be a tough distraction to eliminate. After all, I need the web for work, and it’s tough to ignore the urge to click around.
Another tough distraction was my smartphone. I’m a tech nerd, no doubt — part of my job is writing a pair of tech blogs. Plus, I have the new T-Mobile Galaxy S3, which is the definition of a shiny new toy. But you know what? I don’t need to know immediately when someone makes a play in Words With Friends. I don’t need to see new emails on my lock screen. And I don’t need a sound to play every time someone sends me an IM. Basically, the only time my phone will light up or play a noise is when I get a phone call or a text message — and when I’m writing I turn off the text message sound.
There. Maybe I didn’t get all of them, but I successfully blocked out some of my biggest distractions when writing.
Clearing My Head
The compulsion to check blog comments and surf the web brings to light another big issue. I realized that I didn’t need to check those comments. They were going to be there later. The web wasn’t going anywhere, either. So why was I so immediately distracted by them?
This is another instance where WTD came in handy. Earlier this year Ollin Morales wrote a post about hacking your mind to become more creative. What I had was not a creativity problem, but it certainly was a mind problem. This paragraph was key for me:
Say you’re worried about paying your bills, but you have to write a freelance article in order to pay those bills. But worrying about paying your bills is stopping you from writing that article you need to write in order to pay those bills. (What a vicious cycle, isn’t it?)
This is what I was doing when checking blog comments and surfing the web. I was worrying about something, and it was preventing me from writing. And so, with a massive distraction at my fingertips, I ran away from the problem.
The solution: clear my head before writing. For me this meant three activities.
1. Take a walk. Nothing clears the mind quite like a walk in nature. Unfortunately, living in a semi-urban area, I don’t quite have that. But a stroll around the block suffices.
2. Meditate. This doesn’t have to be anything complex. For me it was sitting on a cushion on the floor and concentrating only on my breathing for 15 minutes. Thoughts come and go, but by the end I feel light and refreshed.
3. Playing guitar. Playing guitar is one of my past times. Incidentally, my mind goes blank when I’m jamming along to my favorite songs. Perhaps you have a hobby that does the same. If so, it’s just as effective as meditation.
With a distraction-limited environment and a clear head, it was time to get into the workflow.
Developing a Workflow
The last step in the process was to develop a workflow that would allow me to work for extended periods while not becoming bored. Previously I’d tried to concentrate for 30 minutes and then take a break. But those breaks ruined continuity. I needed a different workflow conducive to long-term writing projects.
As I was struggling with this one of my favorite bloggers, Seth Roberts, put the answer right in front of my face. His magic dots method was perfect for times when I needed to sit down and hammer out a writing project. You’d think checking a timer constantly and making a mark every six minutes would be distracting. But it’s actually the opposite.
The idea is to keep engaged throughout the writing process. Time seems to go a bit faster when you’re making a mark every six minutes. Not only that, but each mark feels like an accomplishment. I’m using the method right now, as I type out the draft to this post.
It’s funny: once I eliminated distractions, got my thoughts focused, and got into a workflow, I found that I was much happier with the work I was doing. It was the same work I’d been doing, but for some reason I felt more upbeat while composing it. My bosses, of course, loved the changes as well. We not only knocked out that deadline, but got started on more new work than we’d anticipated. I don’t expect I’ll be submitting a progress report like that ever again.
About the author
Joe Pawlikowski writes and edits several blogs across the web, and works on promotional material for various clients. He keeps a personal blog of what he hopes are thoughtful subjects at joepawl.com/blog.
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Joe, you mind-reader you! I needed that swift one on the seat of my pants! I’ve been facing this social media overwhelm for a couple of weeks now. I am still trying to figure out a way to time-manage reading the posts on all the blogs I subscribe to. I keep making a plan – but I almost always overshoot the time I’ve set aside. I need to be more disciplined. Your 5 fellas are my bete noires too. Sigh.
Vidya Sury recently posted..The Krishna Key – Giveaway Contest
The discipline can be hard to come by, but if you keep working on it, it will develop. My problem in the past was getting discouraged after failing and forgetting about it.
Re: subscriptions. I had this problem, too, until recently. I unsubscribed from all blogs that update more than once a day. Turns out I don’t miss them much at all, and I have more time to digest less frequent but often higher quality content at other blogs.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Yikes! Joe, you hit on my problem in one blow. I’m so-o-o distracted by email and commenting to great posts (like this) which always lead me down Alice’s hole following links that are alas! interesting, but not contributing to getting my work done.
The most important takeaway is that we each are distracted by different things and need to find the solution and workflow that works for us.
Your example of the bill-paying vicious cycle is not so much my challenge as having 5 projects on the table that each seem to be luring me to work on them. Priortizing and focusing are clearly what I need to do. Each time I’ve managed to do that, I was indeed happier with my progress.
Bye. Gotta go.
Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. recently posted..Capture Attention for Your Book, Business or Service When You Blend with the Trends
“The most important takeaway is that we each are distracted by different things and need to find the solution and workflow that works for us.”
Exactly, Flora. And it takes active, deliberate work. As I said in a comment above, oftentimes I’d abandon efforts following failure. That only leads to more failure :(
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Sometimes I think that if only I worked for someone else and not myself. Then I’d have that feeling of “I have to get this done because someone is counting on me!” But, distractions are everywhere so, that doesn’t automatically solve the problem. After all, isn’t someone always counting on you whether you know it or not? We have to get personally engaged and invested in our work and projects. These tips on unplugging ourselves from distractions are excellent.
Carmelo recently posted..Changing the World
“After all, isn’t someone always counting on you whether you know it or not?” They absolutely are. It can even be potential clients looking for our solutions, but have yet to find them.
Unplugging is one of the most productive measures I’ve ever taken. It takes a level of discipline itself, but as you know it works wonders.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
My phone is a big distraction for me too. I tend to put it on silent, but also turn the wifi off. That way I save on battery as well eliminate distraction.
I’m studying for a degree in psychology, so I always have a deadline in the back of my mind when writing. I’m just moving onto level 2, so will need to work much harder this year.
Any advice on how to turn my four children off?
“Any advice on how to turn my four children off?” Hah! That’s one subject at the back of my mind. Knowing I’ll have a child in the not so distant future has me worrying like crazy. I can barely pack everything into 24 hours as it is. How will that change when I’m responsible for another human life?
I honestly can’t work with my phone around me. Worst case, it has to be flipped screen side down. It’s frustrating that a device that can act as our best productivity tool can also waste so much of our time.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
OH hey, Congratulations! All I can say is that for as much hard work that children bring to life, they match it with joy.
Every parent feels a bit anxious before the arrival, but I swear the second you hold your baby in your arms, you will know that it will be just fine. A bit cliche I know, but it is true.
Richard Bibby recently posted..Anxiety Overview
I find that playing my guitar also helps with clearing my mind. I think it works other vortexs in my brain, because once I turn back to writing, something has cleared up. It helps to go from rock star to legendary novelist, making the shift back and forth really helps with my creative energies. ;-)
Marla recently posted..Book Review: Let’s Write A Short Story
Do you find that you have not only a clear head, but newfound energy after playing guitar? That’s a big thing for me. It’s better than an afternoon cup of coffee.
totally. These days clear creative writing energy and guitar songs go hand and hand. I guess it gets to the philosophy of the whole thing, you know what I mean?
Marla recently posted..Find Your Spiritual Leader
Distractions harrasses me when I was harrying for cover letter, writing assignments, and working reports. Distractions devour my daytime and force me to stay up very late. It is not because I can’t write; simply because I don’t want to. Several distractions reasons:
1 unclear mind. We think for something else instead of the writing. As mentioned in the post, we’re worrying about bills, but writing–source of paying the bills–are neglected. In my case , my mind dozed off from sentence structure, word choice, to specific meaning, anecdotes, and arrives at unrelated topics.
2 Back and forth researching. Browsing consumes a lot of time, and it is hard to write with full attention again.
3 Evil social networks. When I stuck in writing, I always turn to social network website, for ideas maybe, but only comes out the opposite. Friends’ updates in Facebook allure me for more pics, profile pages, or new friends. 140-character messages entice me to click the link, check accounts for the topic, and tweet.
My solutions are similar to the article and I am surprised at the 6 dots. A record of time reminds you to write efficiently.
Mingming recently posted..Honesty, Integrity, and Credibility Comprise My Ethics Code
“Distractions devour my daytime and force me to stay up very late. It is not because I can’t write”
All. The. Freaking. Time. I find myself saying, “oh, I can blow off a half hour here; I’ll just work a half hour later tonight.” It’s a terrible cycle.
Glad you liked the 6 dots method. It’s great for days when you just have to produce.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Well I certainly hope you are not being distracted by checking the comments on this post right now! =-)
That quote from Ollin Morales’ post has got ME all over it! I know I do better when I already have an outline and I can go somewhere with my laptop and write without internet connection… But when it comes to work that is internet related, that is when we are truly tested.
Thank you for the reminder of meditation. It is one of those things where I KNOW how powerful it is yet I do not do it nearly as much as I should.
It’s like not going back for your 3rd plate at the buffet. You know, if your like me, it’s going to totally ruin my thighs, but there are at least 3 new trays they just brought out that I just have to “taste”.
Has anyone ever tried the rubber band around the wrist and give yourself a snap every time you find yourself wandering?
Coach Comeback recently posted..30 Ways To Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Life
“Thank you for the reminder of meditation. It is one of those things where I KNOW how powerful it is yet I do not do it nearly as much as I should.”
It can be easy to justify, too. If you waste more than a half hour of your day with distractions, you can afford a half hour of your day to meditate. And once you can justify the time, you’ve set yourself up to build a habit.
And yes, I am totally being distracted by checking the comments here.
All those “guest” comments are from me. Not sure why they were showing up that way.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Great piece, Joe. To get really productive one must almost go into a state of lockdown! I think the power of a good walk is often not given full credit too. Thanks for the thoughtful article.
Damien Elsing recently posted..Do You Know What You Don’t Know?
Almost a state of lockdown, exactly. And walks are great. I love listening to an audiobook while I walk and forget about whatever I was just working on.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Good stuff Joe. I like the magic dots method. It really sounds distracting, but I’ll give it a try for my next post. Thanks.
Jevon recently posted..Inspiration Examples
I was skeptical at first too, Jevon, but I was shocked at how well it worked. About to use it today as soon as I’m done being distracted with these comments.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Uhg, I’m so bad with this. I get distracted SO easily, especially on the computer. Hours can go by without me even realizing it. And I definitely do it when I’m stressed about something and putting off dealing with it. Thanks for sharing, it might just help me out!
Bree recently posted..The Character Flaw
As I’ve said above, just make sure you don’t get discouraged by failure.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love the 6 dots method! I tried it today for a task I dread at my day job, and it worked wonders to help keep me on-task. I will definitely try it while writing.
Glad that the ideas helped. What’s great about the 6-dot method while writing is how quickly you get in the zone. After about 30 minutes I find that I stop marking dots and just zone in on the work. Obviously grinding through the day job is a different story.
Joe Pawlikowski recently posted..Media lies and self truths
Thanks for this post, I needed it. I’ve been frustrated lately as to why I haven’t felt any creative juices flowing. Perhaps it has something to do with Facebook, email, comment checking and my new addiction to Song Pop. Not to mention the 25 blogs I subscribe to and receive in my inbox almost every day! Thank you for reminding me I’m not alone.
Kate Hall recently posted..My Blog Was Nominated for a Liebster Award!
What really helps me is stopping myself in the middle of a distraction and imagining myself at the end of the day without having accomplished what I’d set out to do. That feeling of disappointment knowing that another day has gone by and that I didn’t do what I know gives me happiness, that I didn’t do the things that I’m here to do and that I wasted my time… well, that feeling is usually terrible enough to make me sit down and do the work.
I usually tell others to live in the now, but this time, living in the future a little is a great help in the now.
Keep on keeping on, Joe.
Ara Bedrossian recently posted..You are more important than you think
The work is the bottom line and you obviously can get that done. Your advice is good, but when working toward a publishing goal, a web presence can be a big help. Giving up Twitter would be hard for me as that’s often how I bring readers to my site. I get up early, set aside time to do some tweeting and build my list, and then that’s it. I work in chunks of time and set goals. That’s how I get my posts written and then it’s on to
larger writing projects.
Thanks for your post. Beth@Boomer Highway
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