Comments on: How I Stay on Task and Manage Distractions http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/ Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Matt http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-8726 Matt Sat, 25 Feb 2012 20:18:00 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-8726 This is a great idea. One I'm going to try for sure. I've recently started working with a "thoughts dump" on my desk which has been helpful. It's just a piece of paper titled 'Thoughts Dump' beside me so when I have some random thought like "I should learn to play X song on guitar" or "I want to learn to make a Wordpress theme", I can dump it on the piece of paper and get back on with what I'm meant to be doing (and don't have to worry that I'll forget this latest flash of unrelated 'inspiration'). It's maybe the opposite approach to the sand timer in that you allow yourself to have and act upon those thoughts, but I don't see why the two couldn't work together. Thanks, Matt   This is a great idea. One I’m going to try for sure. I’ve recently started working with a “thoughts dump” on my desk which has been helpful. It’s just a piece of paper titled ‘Thoughts Dump’ beside me so when I have some random thought like “I should learn to play X song on guitar” or “I want to learn to make a WordPress theme”, I can dump it on the piece of paper and get back on with what I’m meant to be doing (and don’t have to worry that I’ll forget this latest flash of unrelated ‘inspiration’). It’s maybe the opposite approach to the sand timer in that you allow yourself to have and act upon those thoughts, but I don’t see why the two couldn’t work together.
Thanks,
Matt  

]]> By: abbieatplay http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1010 abbieatplay Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:45:56 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1010 hi, i clicked on "subscribe" to The Growing Life, above, and got an error message... hi, i clicked on “subscribe” to The Growing Life, above, and got an error message…

]]> By: Honey http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1008 Honey Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:36:07 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1008 I'm going to try it.. I have 3 assignments that i readlly want to get done in about 4 hours max.. -.- I'm in for it! I'm going to try it.. I have 3 assignments that i readlly want to get done in about 4 hours max.. -.- I'm in for it!

]]> By: Suzanne Humphreys -Hogarth http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1007 Suzanne Humphreys -Hogarth Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:36:26 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1007 I like multi tasking. That way instead of needing a break i just switch tasks . Every thing gets done about the same time. List are very good to keep you calm . Knowing that you haven't forgotten to do a specific task, leaves your mind open to more creative thought . Daily Planners are a girls best friend. The rest of the gear would be too distracting for me . I like multi tasking. That way instead of needing a break i just switch tasks . Every thing gets done about the same time.
List are very good to keep you calm . Knowing that you haven’t forgotten to do a specific task, leaves your mind open to more creative thought . Daily Planners are a girls best friend.
The rest of the gear would be too distracting for me .

]]> By: Clay Collins http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1006 Clay Collins Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:01:44 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1006 @Maya: I LOVE sand timers (that's obvious). These little ones work well, but you can also get larger wood ones that rock your desk. @Maya: I LOVE sand timers (that’s obvious). These little ones work well, but you can also get larger wood ones that rock your desk.

]]> By: sanding http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1005 sanding Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:06:31 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1005 [...] recall.It turns out to be sodium dichromate -- a highly toxic chemical which can learawstory.comAn ADD-Proof Method for Staying on TaskI'm making my kid do this tomorrow. Great illustrations. It's called &quotThe Sand Timer/Notepad [...] [...] recall.It turns out to be sodium dichromate — a highly toxic chemical which can learawstory.comAn ADD-Proof Method for Staying on TaskI’m making my kid do this tomorrow. Great illustrations. It’s called &quotThe Sand Timer/Notepad [...]

]]> By: Maya http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1004 Maya Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:21:18 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1004 I like the sand timer idea..definitely better than my noisy beeper (although it is a great productivity tool) I'll have to get me a sand timer for my desk soon! I like the sand timer idea..definitely better than my noisy beeper (although it is a great productivity tool) I’ll have to get me a sand timer for my desk soon!

]]> By: Clay Collins http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1003 Clay Collins Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:54:45 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1003 @Sterling: This makes total sense. If you're in the flow state then that sense of timelessness can be powerful. Perhaps the last thing you want in the flow state is "chronological awareness." I understand what you're saying and it's certainly something to think about. I think the sand timer works better when doing mundane "tasky" tasks that you'd rather not be doing. Thanks for the distinction and insight. @Sterling: This makes total sense. If you’re in the flow state then that sense of timelessness can be powerful. Perhaps the last thing you want in the flow state is “chronological awareness.” I understand what you’re saying and it’s certainly something to think about. I think the sand timer works better when doing mundane “tasky” tasks that you’d rather not be doing. Thanks for the distinction and insight.

]]> By: sterling | bizlift http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1002 sterling | bizlift Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:37:18 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1002 @Clay - Thanks for the link to the previous article. I can see the value of the hourglass as a tool to be aware of passing of time. My earlier comment about stopping to flip every 3 minutes was from a completely different point of view. It was about getting a complex task done (like programming) regardless of how long it takes. Sometimes I'd rather stay in the zone and concentrate without worrying about time. Kind of like a painter deep in the flow not caring how long it takes to work on his creation. If I can't reach easily reach the flow state, the hourglass sounds like a great idea. Or if I really need to be aware of a limited amount of time to accomplish a task. Thank you for the tip. @Clay – Thanks for the link to the previous article. I can see the value of the hourglass as a tool to be aware of passing of time.

My earlier comment about stopping to flip every 3 minutes was from a completely different point of view.

It was about getting a complex task done (like programming) regardless of how long it takes. Sometimes I’d rather stay in the zone and concentrate without worrying about time. Kind of like a painter deep in the flow not caring how long it takes to work on his creation.

If I can’t reach easily reach the flow state, the hourglass sounds like a great idea. Or if I really need to be aware of a limited amount of time to accomplish a task. Thank you for the tip.

]]> By: Paul Montwill | Sharingmatters.com http://www.clay-collins.com/blog/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1001 Paul Montwill | Sharingmatters.com Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:11:08 +0000 http://TheGrowingLife.com/2008/03/how-i-stay-on-task-and-manage-distractions/#comment-1001 @Clay: I hope you also watched his "Last Lecture". It is great. Really. @Barbara: I do the same - write tasks down and cross them off the list. I can't believe that we all have so many things in common. These little funny habits. I always use red pencils, for example. I don't like blue or yellow ones. I am a stationary maniac. Recently I have purchased some great Moleskine notepads :) @Clay: I hope you also watched his “Last Lecture”. It is great. Really.

@Barbara: I do the same – write tasks down and cross them off the list. I can’t believe that we all have so many things in common. These little funny habits. I always use red pencils, for example. I don’t like blue or yellow ones. I am a stationary maniac. Recently I have purchased some great Moleskine notepads :)

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