Visualizing Distractions

Poor work. It'salways at the bottom of the totem pole.

Have you ever charted where your time goes?  I never really thought about it until I saw this hierarchy of distractions.  It’s a little too true.  My first thought was: It’s a good thing I live in Scotland and don’t have an iPhone. Would you believe they just came out with them here?  (And I’ve thought of the UK as so hip and fashion-forward.)  I also quickly deleted online dating (happily married and plan to stay that way) and eBay (no patience for it).  None of those deletions, however, changed the fact that I am distracted by all the rest ALL DAY.

These thoughts brought me to my original question- have you ever really put thought into what you do with your time? While I’m writing this, I have 8 tabs open, begging me to check them for updates.  That is nothing compared to my husband’s computer though.  Maybe it’s his electrical engineering background, but I have never seen the internet work so hard as on his computer.  Not unlike the ultimate trump at the top of the pyramid, we have to physically shut our lap tops if we’re going to have a real conversation or actually interact with our children.

Interestingly, it’s much harder to implement such rules during the work day.  Most of us work with computers.  In fact, emails, messages, blogs, and websites are critical parts of our work.  Therefore, it is difficult to set limits on them.  However, the average worker fritters away more than 2 hours everyday on distractions just like these, as well as conversational distractions and run-of-the-mill interruptions.  Two hours!  I don’t get paid by the hour, so it’s easy to dismiss that figure.  Regardless, I would get more projects done, and therefore get paid for more projects at the end of the day if I could reclaim those lost hours.  That’s 10 hours a week. Who couldn’t use an extra 10 hours?

If you’re with me in wanting more to show for your day, check out this possible solution: white noise generators.  I use white noise for work and for better sleep.  I like the nature sounds for work- keeps me alert and focused on my work instead of outside noise, and I prefer a more consistent hum for sleep (I’m not sure who wants to sleep with chirping birds…?)  The end result for me is that I am able to tune out annoyances vying for my attention and focus on what I need to at that moment, be it work or relaxation.  I hope it works for you, too.