AVOIDING DISTRACTED LIVING

Our lives  are constantly being steered toward distractions. Sometimes, we even steer them toward distractions because they are easy, fun, and pass the time. But these things end up diverting one's attention and can leave one feeling drained. Then, why do we do it?

Partly, it's to avoid boredom. We want diversions and distractions because it beats the hell out of being bored. Of having to be present for moments that we take for granted every second. We want distractions and stimuli to fill our minds because we have trouble being still -- both in the physical sense of being stationary, as well as being mentally calm.
But, eliminating distractions and diversions to attention can end up making one more present-minded, happier, and allow one to live a simpler and more fulfilling life. It sounds like a simple solution right? Of course, our minds fight us because they crave a constant stream of new stimuli to make life more interesting.

There are two easy steps to fight this instinct in our daily lives:

• Stop focusing on so many things at once
• Stop doing so many things at once

These are two easy ways to break out of the distraction-based, information-consuming culture we live in today.  By doing these two steps you may find that you are better able to focus and think.

Stop focusing on so many things at once. When I am at work, I tend to think about the things I need to do, or should be doing, as a cloud of unfinished items. I think, "Oh I need to do this, then that, and wait, don't forget about that, too." Well, by focusing on all those items at once, you're sure to keep yourself from the logical, clear train of thought that gets work done quickly. So, stop focusing on everything at once. Multitasking is overrated. Moreover, recent research has shown that it simply does not work. The mind is a great tool, but a terrible master. Sometimes this means that we must force it to focus on the tasks one at a time. Or, take things "bird by bird," as the writer Anne Lamont says.

Stop doing so many things at once. Invariably, I find that when I am most stressed is when I am trying to do or accomplished too much is a short amount of times. I have to stop myself several times throughout the day when I find myself trying to do two things at once. What is funny, is after these periods of so called "productivity" I don't feel that I have gotten much done. I just feel mentally drained and divided. Do one thing at a time. You'll get your work done faster and you'll feel better, too.

Focus and attention are limited resources in today's culture. We must fight against the distractions that divide our thoughts and attention at every moment, partly because we are constantly being offered up new information and stimuli at every turn. Whether it is in the form of radio, TV, Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, commercials, etc., these are items that take away from our lives as much as they sometimes add to them. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to sound like a Luddite here, instead I am saying that these things can be great, but only when they add value and substance to our lives.