by Richard Rowell, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
The power of distraction is quite incredible in how it affects our daily lives. More types of media are vying for our attention seemingly every day. Now, the possibility of distraction from what we should actually be doing is growing rapidly. More than ever, our attention spans are shrinking to the point where we can find ourselves jumping from one distraction to another. Not only is it annoying to have so many possible distractions, but it can also be quite draining.
Of course, we also get a lot of distractions in the form of notifications from our cell phones, updates on Facebook, and new emails. It’s also easy to get lost in Tumblr or Pinterest, as I have without contest done for hours on end far too often. And we may try to multi-task, watching TV or listening to something while we try to do something else. But our minds wander and we end up focusing on what’s supposed to be in the background instead of on what we were trying to do.
One way to try and keep distractions from draining us is to try and use each distraction as a learning experience. It's not so much learning simply not to be distracted. It's recognizing what are our greatest distractions and understanding why they affect us so greatly. Some distractions can actually enrich our lives and offer much needed diversion from what crazy lives we so often lead day to day. It's just important to not let such diversions rule our lives. So we must reflect on them. Do they expand our knowledge of something? Do they enrich our appreciation for nature and the simpler things in life?
If we have distractions that don't do either of these things then they are purely empty fun. Actually, we do need those from time to time especially when things have been overly stressful or monotonous. Breaks from routines are important. But try your best to make a learning experience from as many distractions as you can. We tend to see our own lives as boring and uninteresting far too much of the time. It's about time we change that.
Distractions can be extremely good for you. But sometimes you just have to put yourself in a place where nothing can distract you. It’s important to understand the difference between a distraction and a diversion. Diversions are something that you do intentionally. Distractions are most often something that you don’t intend to grab your attention. But I’ve often found that diversions can become distractions.
Of course, we also get a lot of distractions in the form of notifications from our cell phones, updates on Facebook, and new emails. It’s also easy to get lost in Tumblr or Pinterest, as I have without contest done for hours on end far too often. And we may try to multi-task, watching TV or listening to something while we try to do something else. But our minds wander and we end up focusing on what’s supposed to be in the background instead of on what we were trying to do.
One way to try and keep distractions from draining us is to try and use each distraction as a learning experience. It's not so much learning simply not to be distracted. It's recognizing what are our greatest distractions and understanding why they affect us so greatly. Some distractions can actually enrich our lives and offer much needed diversion from what crazy lives we so often lead day to day. It's just important to not let such diversions rule our lives. So we must reflect on them. Do they expand our knowledge of something? Do they enrich our appreciation for nature and the simpler things in life?
If we have distractions that don't do either of these things then they are purely empty fun. Actually, we do need those from time to time especially when things have been overly stressful or monotonous. Breaks from routines are important. But try your best to make a learning experience from as many distractions as you can. We tend to see our own lives as boring and uninteresting far too much of the time. It's about time we change that.
Distractions can be extremely good for you. But sometimes you just have to put yourself in a place where nothing can distract you. It’s important to understand the difference between a distraction and a diversion. Diversions are something that you do intentionally. Distractions are most often something that you don’t intend to grab your attention. But I’ve often found that diversions can become distractions.
RSS Feed
