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Managing digital distractions
“Focus and simplicity…once you get there, you can move mountains.”
- Steve Jobs
Distractions happen. They get in the way by competing for our attention throughout the day, whether we are hard at work or hard at play. (I just got distracted for five minutes after writing those first two lines). It can happen so easily. Between texts, emails and social media, our phone alone has the ability to derail any progress we are making whether we are handling responsibilities while at work or at home. In the pandemic era many of us complete work at home. No matter where we are while we are getting our work done, our mobile devices follow us wherever we go.
Eliminating digital distractions is my new priority for crossing items off my to-do list more effectively and efficiently. I have had difficulties with being able to maintain my focus for extended periods of time since I was in elementary school. ADHD was not a thing back then, but I would have fit the description according to the DSM-V. Staring off into space was one of my trademarks, while falling out of my chair was one of my gimmicks. I still feel some of that anxious irritability and excited nervous energy at times. I have become more aware of how I can harness that energy and channel it into my work instead of wasting time scratching every digital itch that pops up on my phone.
