From addictive websites to annoying neighbors, there are plenty of distractors vying for our attention when we really ought to be writing. I know a few people who are obsessed with FrontierVille, but my vice tends to be email, Twitter, and sometimes Facebook. These sites do have a work-related component, so that’s how I justify it to myself. But really, who needs to check Twitter every 20 minutes? Certainly not me!
Zen Habits recently published a post with 20 Strategies to Defeat the Need to Do Useful Tasks. It instructs you to identify your time wasters and focus on more important tasks. I’m trying, I swear! But like they say, old habits die hard, and I need to get over this fear that if I’m not constantly reloading my email or checking Twitter, I might miss something important.
What are your biggest distractions and what are you doing to defeat them?
Great question, Susan! Some of my biggest distractions are design blogs (Cup of Jo is my fave), Twitter, and Facebook. Twitter and FB can often be work-related though…so I'm not too hard on myself. I'd have to say my number one distraction is email. I have three accounts that I manage (not sure why) and I always feel the need to check them!
Facebook and computer gaming sites are definitely my biggest distractions. I'm doing my best to balance between writing and fun by making a strict schedule when I take an hour to do JUST writing, and then take a break to do JUST Facebook/gaming. It's tough but doable.
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Email for sure. I think I'm addicted to checking it. I feel like you do, Susan–I always think I'm missing something if I don't refresh every few minutes! I figure the next awesome assignment could be just around the corner, so I'm a bit compulsive about it.
For better and worse, I have a Blackberry. There have been plenty of times I've been so grateful to catch something while on the fly that I needed to know, some for business and some for personal things that needed to come to my attention. But of course, it's a double-edged sword. It's hard to get away from it. It's like an appendage, and I don't know how healthy that is. Good for you for making us honest.
The internet and everything about it! I have to shut my email program and turn off the wireless to be able to sit down and write for a long stretch of time.
I agree with every person so far! Email and FB can absorb tons of time! I limit it as you all do…write first…then email….write again….then FB!
However, my daughter just got me on a new distraction!! It's so much fun but addicting! If you download the app., "Words With Friends" you can play computer scrabble. It's a free app. First she plays, then when I answer it, it switches back to her and so on….you have to try it!! Maybe not?
Email, blogs, friends who see i'm online on Skype and try to chat, Facebook.
The Internet and my house. With being a mom and working out full time, I have a hard time balancing things so certain items (laundry to be cleaned, dishes to be put away, and such) distract me more easily than others. At this point,I haven't been able to find a schedule that works for me.
Great question
Carrie
Exercise…and too much coffee! First thing in the morning I can't sit still – I need to go outside and thrash myself into some kind of mental calm. Which is great for a healthy lifestyle, but it's just too easy to go to far and then have to spend the rest of the day gibbering on the couch!