One thing at a time
If I had a mantra for the year, that would be it – one thing at a time.
You know how people have that thing they talk about all the time without realizing it? But when they get started you are thinking “here they go again!” or “give it a rest, already!!!”? Ha ha. That is going to be me, this year, with talking about wanting to focus on one thing at a time, and doing it by disconnecting (online) a bit more.
I have run across a few articles talking about this being a trendy resolution for the year – people trying to get away from technology. I don’t want to do that 100%, per se – I love the internetz, blogging, and connecting with people online. What I don’t love, however, is how freakin’ distracted I am, and most of the time now – online and sometimes in person.
It’s kind of sad that the only time I can truly focus is when I am on a run. I had all weekend to write my workout for strength class tonight. When could I focus on planning it out? In my head, on my long run this am. I do have my phone with me when I run, for safety and photos, but that’s all I want to use it for. Running is basically the only time I can be alone with my thoughts without distraction (self-inflicted or otherwise). A few people have told me how cool it is that the new Garmin watch will show you incoming texts. Um… that is fantastic, but would really distract me if I had it.
And that is the thing – I wonder how much of this is in my control? Can I work toward becoming less distracted or is it hopeless? Ha ha. Of course it isn’t! But I have to be mindful about it, and that is the thing I am struggling with to start with – mindfulness!
As I mentioned last week, I am reading a book about this subject (hence me going on and on and on about it…). One section of the book mentioned how we get online and start doing so many things, and eventually get used to that state of “continuous partial attention.” Um, yeah, that describes me, a lot of the time (online and not, unfortunately). And how about this blurb, describing how that state makes us feel?
Um, yes. All that communication coming at you is addictive, and to use Dr. Small’s word, “irresistible.” It excites me, to have so many things going on at once. But to what cost is it? I am NOT a supertasker. I do my best focusing on one thing at a time. Why do I keep trying otherwise? Why, why, why?
So I have been trying really hard to get better at this. It’s stupid stuff, like when the phone rang when I was writing this, I got up and talked on it in a different room, instead of playing on the computer while on the phone. I turned my phone text notification off so I could focus on writing. I made sure I wasn’t doing anything in any other tabs. There were emails I wanted to write and people I wanted to gchat, but I held off on it.
It’s silly I have to be so mindful about it! But I feel better when I am!
Anyone else feel like they get caught in a state of “continuous partial attention”? What do you do to get out of it?
I wanted to make sure to give you an update on Data! I think it’s safe to say he’s on the road to recovery (although we need to see if he needs follow-up bloodwork, still). He felt well enough to attack me while I was knitting last week, and to let me know he wanted to be fed… by biting me. He’s eaten his normal amount of food this weekend, plus some! Yay! My little sh*t is back!
Themocracy
Glad to hear Data is back (with a vengeance no less)! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
That is a wonderful picture of Data captivated by your knitting!
I have been thinking about the whole online thing, too, but less in regards to distraction and more to do with what I’m giving up. I feel like I would read more and call friends on the phone more if I weren’t screwing around online. There is something that is both stimulating and soothing about being online, and it’s a hard habit to break.
As someone who is turning 50 next year, I definitely remember the days before the Internet, and even before videos and answering machines! There are some thing I really miss about that time. You couldn’t keep up with distant friends as well but you were definitely more present for your nearby friends.
Thanks! He is REALLY digging the knitting. 😉 Pretty soon I am going to have to learn how to start again when your yarn mysteriously gets chewed in half.
Oh my gosh, what you are saying is EXACTLY what I am reading about in this book. About what we are trading for all the time spend online, and about how about pretty soon, there won’t be many people left who didn’t recall time “before the internet.” If you are interesting in reading about that, I really recommend the book (The End of Absence).
I’m old enough to be remember no internet, etc. I don’t run with my phone and don’t want to. That is a nice time to be totally disconnected. I don’t Facebook (scary, right?) simply because I don’t want to know what people are doing 24/7…yes I’m THAT old. I do love texting, emailing and blogging.
Ha ha ha. Who DOES want to know what people are doing 24/7?! No one is that interesting! I think it’s awesome you are off FB. I really want to get off, but have to keep it for one of my jobs.
This totally describes me! I half read some article and I’m in the middle of it before I realize that I have no idea what the article’s really about. I guess I need to work more on focus. And many big huzzahs that Data’s back to his old self! That has to be a big relief.
I have found myself doing that when I read sometimes. I am reading but thinking about something else and then the words don’t sink in at all!
It really is!!!
I think this is a great resolution (or goal? Not that you really like setting goals, I know!)! Have you tried the Pomodoro method (focusing on something for 25 minutes and then getting a 5 minute break)? I’ve found it’s helpful for focusing on things like blogging (or grading or reading an article that takes my full attention) because I feel like 25 minutes is an easy-to-reasonable amount of time to devote to one sole activity, and I just close all the tabs and put my phone on “Do not disturb” mode while I work. It might be a good way to get started and feel what it’s like to focus on something exclusively!
Hee hee. Yeah, what do I call it since I don’t do goals? I need a new word! 😛
I have NOT tried that but think it’s a great idea. I wonder if I need to start with something smaller. 15 and 5? JK!
I’m glad your kitty is on the road to recovery! And I definitely feel that way about all our communication tools, both at work and in my personal life. We actually had a productivity seminar at work where we were told to turn off our email and phone notifications when we were supposed to be concentrating on getting other things done. I felt like that really helped. I’ll have to look into this book.
Thanks! Me too!
Wow, do you think people are actually doing it? I know some people at work who are really good about focusing, but some who aren’t. And we are expected to always be available by chat, but sometimes I have another window covering that (a lot of times, actually)!
You could hear a giant gasp in the room when the instructor said it. I think most people were really hesitant to do it. She did urge everyone to try for a week and then make up their mind but people are resistant to change. I think most of the people that even tried it went back to their old ways.
I am so not surprised by that! Change is hard!
Good to hear about Data. Sounds like normal cat behavior.
I find the best way to keep me off technology is to keep my phone away from me. My biggest problem is keeping it within arm’s reach when I’m at home. If it’s in my purse, or even charging on the kitchen counter, I’m not tempted to constantly plugged in.
It definitely is!
I have been doing that some nights – leaving it in the kitchen or upstairs. Nothing is that urgent (I HOPE!), right?!
Wait, wait, WAIT. Did I do a trendy thing in giving up a lot of social media? BOOOO. And here, I just wanted more time to read and watch Netflix.
I guess so. That makes two strikes for you! Watch out for that third one 😉
I seriously keep running across all these articles. Some are from legit sources, and some are from Shape magazine, but I keep seeing it over and over! (actually I saw this one that said SOME interaction is good! http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/why-social-media-actually-lowers-stress-women So like with everything else, we are getting conflicting info and should just do what makes US feel best!) 🙂
I really like this idea. I’ve been trying to destress life a bit by disconnecting from constant use of email/social media. I deleted my personal FB and replaced it with a no friends running version (to see race discount, info etc). I don’t have my work email on my phone/iPad and unless it is like this weekend where I need to work , my laptop stays in work.
Seriously considering disconnecting emails on my phone, 90% of my inbox is junk or promotions anyhow!! Sometimes now I find myself at a loss for things to do forgetting that I could actually get off my ass and do something lol!
Good for you! You are making huge strides! I really want to delete FB but keep it for one of my jobs… but have been on it so much less and feel better. And I hardly EVER work when I am not at work. I refuse to have any work stuff on my phone (that would give them the right to wipe it any time they want too, and I don’t want that).
Have you started unsubscribing to any of that stuff? That always makes me feel better.
Ha ha. I hear ya. I am sitting there bored, “watching” a movie and scrolling my news feed (not FB, but news articles)… lame. I actually did a few puzzles in the past few weeks instead of that! I enjoyed it!
hehe, I giggled when I read Hoho’s comment, because I am just like her. I am so old I grew up with out a cell phone or internet. I even spent some of my 20’s w/o a cell lol I am not used to instant must see or reply and since I answer a phone all day at work, I tend to ignore it when it rings at home if I am doing anything else. The only time I will run for it, is f I know someone is sick. It’s good to be able to pick how you use your time at your own pace 🙂
I don’t have the fancy Garmin that reads my texts – you are right it would be distracting! I just got a smart phone in the past few months…finally and when I hear a text it distracts me a little, like if I feel tired, I think maybe I should pause and read that LOL but have decided that would be a bad idea, I may not start again 🙂
I think it’s GOOD that you don’t feel rushed to respond to things. Why are we making things so urgent? It’s like the quote I posted… we get used to that environment then we want it, but at what price?!
I have my text noises turned off almost all the time, when I am running too! It’s like we get programmed to need to look asap and see what is so urgent. Ha ha!
Oh, I am glad to hear Data is feeling feisty again 🙂 Such pretty eyes!
Thanks! 😀
I’m reading this while watching TV and texting with my sister. To say I relate is an understatement. lol
Yay for Data!!!
Ha ha ha! Texting and watching tv is not TOO bad though! Texting while someone else is talking to you? BAD! ha!
Thanks for your cheers! I feeel so much better this week!
I totally do this! At work I’m typically listening to something while I work. BUT- I have done a few things at work that have helped me. I try to focus on one thing at a time and write out a actual list rather than relying on electronics. I also took off any alerts so I can focus and really have to force myself to tackle one task at a time. At home I’m awful at this and am always doing two things at once, but we sit down to dinner at the table and just talk/eat every night and before bed I read and read only. So at least there’s that. 🙂
Listening to music while you work? Nothing wrong with that if it works for you! It just does not, at all, for me. Even classical music distracts me!
It sounds like you have a good routine at work and at home! I have turned off my email alerts so long ago… if it was super urgent, they would call, right?! 😉
Glad Data is feeling better!!!
I’m also one of your older readers who didn’t grow up with all this stuff and had to walk ten miles to school with no shoes, and it all still amazes me. Being able to skype with my best friend all the way across the world, that feels like science fiction (or something from The Jetsons) to me!
Thanks!
And uphill both ways, right?
Gosh, isn’t Skype and FaceTime so fantastic? It’s really helped me keep in touch with friends, too! I feel so grateful for it!
I think this is why I like paper books and mags. Less distraction than online. Glad Data is feeling better!
I’m right there with you. I love the internet, but I get so distracted by it. I need to finish (er, start?) the choreography for my next burlesque workshop, but whenever I have blocks of freetime, I find myself getting distracted, and then suddenly it’s bedtime. I also need to work on not getting distracted while at work.
What do you think will be the best environment for you to plan that choreography out? 🙂
Glad Data is feeling better!
I didn’t realize it was ‘trendy’ but I decided to choose Focus as my ‘word’ for this year. I’ve never chosen a word before but with the new baby and trying to juggle being a mom and working full time I wanted to make sure I was staying focused. Cutting out some of the online time is definitely part of that. I’m clearly doing a fantastic job since I’m commenting on this post. 😉
Thank you!
I read another blogger’s post saying that having a word of the year was super trendy and that was one of them! Makes sense – so many of us are struggling with it! And I bet you are doing a good job at it! 🙂 Ha ha! It’s not like you are commenting here all the time! You’re good! 🙂
I love this post, and have been seeing so many others out there that agree it’s time to unplug a little bit. The world will NOT end if I don’t update my blog or my page…no one will truly care if I take yet another food pic, right?! LOL! I do love connecting with people, but have also found I am forgetting myself in the mix of it all.
So glad to hear Data is feeling ok!!!
Oh yeah, we have to keep in mind that most of that is actually for us! For our entertainment, at least! To keep us from being bored! As long as nothing is wrong (you know, health or mood) people totally get it if you cut back on social media, and I think the prefer the personal attention! 🙂 I hope you “find” yourself again, soon! 🙂
Thank you!
Amen!! And I am ok, no worries at all…I just needed to step back a few feet a month or so ago, and feel so much better for it! <3
Like you, I don’t want to give up the internet because I do enjoy using it to connect w/ others & relax. However, I can get to OCD about checking Facebook & email every 3 seconds. Last year, I gave up all “smart” features of my smart phone for a month. I uninstalled email, Facebook, instagram, etc. It was actually really good and I definitely got away from being on so much. I still have it set so my Facebook & Instagram notifications don’t show unless I open the app. Luckily in my job I can’t be on my phone, but I am bad about checking them on the weekend!
I took Facebook off my phone last February and am so happy I did! I just felt like I needed to be checking it and checking up on people all the time. And why? What a waste!!! I still do look at my Feedly a lot though, when I am sitting around. There is almost always something on there! It’s better for me to just put my phone someplace else!