http://blog.bigzaphod.org/2007/04/04/focus-pending/ Huh? Thu, 17 May 2012 22:36:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://blog.bigzaphod.org/2007/04/04/focus-pending/#comment-363 Sean Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:27:04 +0000 http://blog.bigzaphod.org/2007/04/04/focus-pending/#comment-363 I've found that the kinds of work that keeps my mind from wandering is largely physical. Naturally, of course, that's not the kind of work that I get paid for... but none the less, lately I've found it to be very therapeutic to work on packing and stuff like that when I can't focus on anything else. It's like all the heavy lifting, cleaning, moving, etc. somehow helps burn off the stress that won't go away any other way. I’ve found that the kinds of work that keeps my mind from wandering is largely physical. Naturally, of course, that’s not the kind of work that I get paid for… but none the less, lately I’ve found it to be very therapeutic to work on packing and stuff like that when I can’t focus on anything else. It’s like all the heavy lifting, cleaning, moving, etc. somehow helps burn off the stress that won’t go away any other way.

]]> http://blog.bigzaphod.org/2007/04/04/focus-pending/#comment-336 Jerry Thu, 05 Apr 2007 19:32:38 +0000 http://blog.bigzaphod.org/2007/04/04/focus-pending/#comment-336 I have a similar problem in my life, and a theory to explain it. (Is it a bug? Or is it a feature?) The more important said event is, the more disruption it causes. I think it has to do with lack of structure in my daily routine. Since most of what I do is almost entirely on my own schedule, all the time, having something that's set to the clock's schedule seems to cause some level of disruption of my otherwise entirely self centered life. I didn't say it was good, or flattering, but that's my best working theory. And that seems to cause anxiety. And it's really stupid anxiety, and it's without any real rational reason. As long as the event is set in my palm, I'm not going to forget it... so I don't understand where the anxiety comes from. So I try and busy myself with work that doesn't allow my mind to wonder, or dwell on the impending appointment. I treat the appointment not as impending doom, but as a type of deadline that I have to work up against, and that helps a lot. I've found that by taking that approach, having these planned events sitting out there in the future usually increases my productivity in the present. I have a similar problem in my life, and a theory to explain it. (Is it a bug? Or is it a feature?) The more important said event is, the more disruption it causes. I think it has to do with lack of structure in my daily routine. Since most of what I do is almost entirely on my own schedule, all the time, having something that’s set to the clock’s schedule seems to cause some level of disruption of my otherwise entirely self centered life. I didn’t say it was good, or flattering, but that’s my best working theory. And that seems to cause anxiety. And it’s really stupid anxiety, and it’s without any real rational reason. As long as the event is set in my palm, I’m not going to forget it… so I don’t understand where the anxiety comes from. So I try and busy myself with work that doesn’t allow my mind to wonder, or dwell on the impending appointment. I treat the appointment not as impending doom, but as a type of deadline that I have to work up against, and that helps a lot. I’ve found that by taking that approach, having these planned events sitting out there in the future usually increases my productivity in the present.

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