It doesn’t take long for my old friend Daisy Distraction to return to block my forward progress and keep me from my ultimate productivity.
Boy, does she have a way of cropping up just when I least expect her!
So, how do I keep her away? Or better yet, how do I send her off to “play” somewhere else so I can get back on track?
First things first…I have to recognize I’m being distracted before I can do anything differently. So awareness is key.
And the telltale signs are really obvious.
1. I sit down at my desk and immediately check my emails, and then 2 hours later I find I’ve explored a dozen new thoughts/ideas. Or, I’ve taken 1 hour to just clean up my InBox when I didn’t intend to today.
2. Social media just sucked up another 2 hours with random old friend searches, event invites, and twitter list exploring.
3. I skipped lunch, seemingly too busy to get up from my desk, and I’ve got a serious coffee buzz.
4. I am dragging up “to-do’s” that came off my priority list days/weeks ago and just fumbling around.
5. I get to the end of the day, having spent far too many hours at the computer, I can’t remember what I intended to accomplish today, and I just feel “foggy”.
Now what? I’ve just lost a day, sometimes more…and in addition to being behind on my projects, I’m frustrated with myself, too!
So, I give thanks for the awareness that makes it possible for me to see this pattern for what it is, and I commit to getting some rest and making the next day full of focus and effortless efficiency.
It all begins with setting the intention.
I rise committed to fending off the nudges from “Daisy” by using the tools I have come to know so well.
1. I begin my day stretching, affirmative reading and 15 minutes (minimum) or 3-5 pages of journaling. I eat a healthy breakfast. Journaling helps me find clarity around my intentions, my visions, my dreams. Through journaling, I identify and prioritize inspired actions.
2. I take an extra minute to straighten up my work area, to eliminate anything that might draw my attention away from my priority tasks. Depending on the task, I may setup soothing music to work by.
3. I ask myself two questions: what is the most important thing I can do today to create the life of my dreams? and what is the most important thing I can do today to grow my business?
Then I write the answers down on my NothingElse.pad (if I get nothing else done today, I must…from www.getbuttonedup.com). Then I begin to take action on those items immediately, keeping in mind my 30-day plan.
3. I continue to make progress on those items identified as the most important for today BEFORE I open my email for the day.
4. I commit to allocating a specific amount of time for social media, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
5. I take an appropriate break for morning snack and lunch.
6. I check in with myself, honestly, at midday and make adjustments as needed. If and when I catch myself running off to “play” with Daisy, I immediately stop, get up, and walk away from my office. If I can, I step outside, to get some fresh air to help me re-focus. Take a short wisdom walk. Moving always helps– dancing, wiggling, walking, running.
Once I have settled back into a productive pattern I make a point to try to check in with myself. To stay on track, this is the most important piece.
I’ve come to know that Daisy Distraction only comes to see me when I want to play. And typically, I choose to play with her when I’m having trouble finding the courage to face my fears about something.
There is wisdom hiding there behind all that distraction if I allow myself to see it. Getting clear about what those fears are and working through them, not around them, is the ultimate goal.
Acknowledging Daisy makes me laugh, and helps me to accept my human nature. Sending her on her way makes me feel brave.
How do you fight the tendency toward distraction? What are your favorite re-focusing tips?
I can’t wait to hear them– I need all the help I can get!
WOW, I had no idea you were friends with Daisy, too! Thanks for those suggestions Nanette. xoxo
You are welcome, Pam. Watch for more on Daisy’s friends, too. Fearsome Freddie makes regular appearances, along with Judging Judy. Now that I’ve called them by name, and created images of them that make me laugh, I greet them, and then send them on their way. This was an amazingly liberating discovery for me.
Do you have any pictures of Daisy to share?
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Hi Nanette,
Loved this post and loved the way you write. Too cute, daisy distraction…
By no means will I say that I’ve got all of this down because I don’t. From time to time I will kind of go off and get distracted but I will also admit the 99.5% of the time I’m able to stay on schedule. Sure, there are interruptions sometimes throughout my day when I’ll get a phone call or email from a prospect so I’ll stop what I’m doing to help them at that moment. But I will get back to what I’m doing and keep going.
I’m really annoyingly organized and that name was given to me by my friends and past co-workers. It’s always come naturally to me so that has never been an area where I’ve been lacking. I keep a schedule of what I need to do for the day and I don’t leave my desk until it’s finished. Some projects may take longer than others and I may continue them the following day but the majority of the time, I accomplish what needs to be done.
I learned early on working from home that I need to turn off things that can or will distract me so I can get the job at hand completed.
But I admire how you take hold of the situation and just move forward. Enjoyed you sharing your tips with us because there are plenty of people who needed to hear what you just shared.
Hope this comment finds you well.
Adrienne
Nanette, aloha. Love the way you bring Daisy Distraction to life. She seems to visit quite a number of people on a regular basis. Must be a very friendly sort of person.
Seriously, Nanette, i think the 2 questions you ask yourself in #3 are key. Well, I should say asking them and then taking action on them.
Each night before I go to bed, I close out my day and fill out the plans for my next day. I find that by having such a list I am much more productive because I am less apt to get distracted. With my schedule and “to do” list next to me, I find I work my way through it.
Sounds like you are working out your relationship with Daisy. All the best to you. Hope she doesn’t get too lonely when you won’t come out to play with her whenever she wants.
Take care, Nanette. Aloha. Janet
Yes, Janet, I like that you pointed out that asking the questions to get clarity of direction is not the only piece of the puzzle. Taking action on them is the next, and most valuable step.
Wishing you well-
Nanette
Hi Nanette,
Well I can proudly say that I am super-organized, mainly because I talk a lot about it on my blog and I want myself to practice it in the first place. I cracked when I read #5 – ” I get to the end of the day, having spent far too many hours at the computer, I can’t remember what I intended to accomplish today, and I just feel “foggy”.”
Well I think it is just the straightforward outcome of starting a day without plan and see where it takes us. There is no point in going with the flow TOTALLY (although you should partially go with the flow for fluency.
Nothingelse is new to me, I will check it out.
Cheers,
Jane.
I don’t think I’ll ever qualify as “super-organized”, Jane, but I do recognize the value in that when it comes to creating routines that support us. In my work as a creativity coach I spend much of my time encouraging people to “go with the flow”, but as you aptly point out, we need some order in our worlds 🙂
Enjoy the day-
Nanette
Hi Nanette,
I love that you call it “Daisy Distraction.” I have so many Daisy Distractions on my side of the pond that I have to plan my day, to work on my business around quite times. There is just too much people traffic in my house and they require my attention all the time. Sometimes I have to tell them nicely that I need about an hour or two of no disturbance so I can focus on my business.
Your solutions to not letting Daisy get the best of you is very good. I have applied most of them to my life except for journaling. I’m going to give that a try.
I wish you a successful day.
~Tisha
I’m so glad to hear that you’re intending to add journaling to your personal self-care practice.
For me, my journal holds the key to not only my personal development but my business development as well.
Have fun with it, and don’t hesitate to reach out for a little support if you need it, OK?
Wishing you well-
Nanette
Haha – I love your depiction of Daisy Distraction!
This was absolutely me this past week as well. I know exactly what you mean when you say you sat down to get some work done and then looked up after a few hours having only accomplished a few random friend searches or social media promotions.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve got a plan in place to help yourself get back on track 🙂
Glad you could connect to Daisy, Sarah.
I’ve created a couple of other characters, too, that have helped me tackle that stuff that gets in my way.
And the good news is, they do help me to get back on track quicker and quicker.
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts.
Wishing you well-
Nanette
Hey Nanette,
I enjoyed reading this and loved that you called it “Daisy Distraction”. And she seems to be visiting many people every single day and the key is to be aware of her intended visits and do everything to avoid them.
I use similar strategies as yours. I find having a plan beforehand helps a great deal.
Thanks for sharing, Nanette.
All the best,
Mavis
I’m glad you enjoyed this post, Mavis.
“Daisy” and I have become well acquainted over the years, and I agree, having a plan to send her off to play has really helped!
Wishing you well-
Nanette
Hi Nanette,
Are guys able to comment on this blog?
It is so easy these days to get distracted with so many toys available online. There are so many times where I should be mapping out my marketing strategy, I’m doing keyword research instead. I just love dominating search engines! 🙂
Have a great day…
Josh
Of course, Josh, guys are always welcome here.
I have chosen to focus my attention on creative-thinking, women entrepreneurs because that is “the language I speak”, but my message is certainly not exclusive to women, nor are challenges like distraction.
I appreciate your participation in the dialogue– we can all learn from each other.
Many thanks-
Nanette
Hi Nanette,
Distraction is a business killer. We all must find a way to fight the urges.
Here is a little tip on how to fight Ms Daisy D. I find when I sit at my desk for too long, my mind tends to wander a little, so here is what I do. I work for an hour, then I take a short break, about 10 or 15 min, then back to work for another hour and so on… Then I take a half hour or 45 min lunch break at the same time each day. Keeping this routine helps me fight off unwanted distraction.
If this doesn’t work, and some days it doesn’t. I will take a little walk out in the woods behind my house, maybe take a few pictures, anything to get my mind off work. I find when I do this, idea’s come to me, my mind get back on track and I have a renewed vigor for work.
Thanks for sharing Nanette and have a great day!
PS CommentLUV isn’t working on your site, it isn’t bringing up any of my posts. Just thought you would like to know.
Thanks for adding that reminder to get up from my desk, Ian. You’re right– that always helps, and I don’t do it often enough.
And I love walks in nature, too — I call them my “Wisdom Walks”.
I appreciate your contribution here.
Wishing you well-
Nanette