Why do we get distracted so very easily?

The first and most obvious reason is because there are so many things distracting us. When you are sitting at your desk: email, instant messaging (pop ups), telephone, cell phone (and all the different ways it can be distracting), ambient music, people, thoughts, cravings, worries, bodily needs, reminders, outside sounds – the list can go on.

Then there is the fact that research has shown that it is so much easier for us to be distracted rather than focussed. Our brains find it much easier to “sniff around” or be distracted than focussing on one thing.

Another aspect of distraction vs. focus is that being distracted uses up energy. Every time you change focus or activity in order to do or focus on something else we use a measurable amount of glucose and other metabolic resources. We therefor become less efficient at the following task than the previous one because we literally have less resource (if not replenished)

So what to do?

One method is to block out or then turn off. Control the things you can control. If you are going to work on something that necessitates a great deal of concentration, simply turn of the cell phone, turn of your laptop’s data connection and unplug the telephone.  “You can’t do that. If you unplug the office phone the boss will think you are dodging work” Scolds the little voice in my head. Yes, that is true. Only do what is practical. But even at work you can temporarily turn of email and you cell phone.

You can also work on a “scheduling “ system. This means that you will check email and voice mail only at certain scheduled intervals in your day.

Both these methods will creates a situation where there is no action needed from you to block out any distraction as the distraction simply is not there.

A method that may go hand-in-hand with the previous two is to be self-aware and to stop your thought process before they become a new avenue of focus. In other words you think “hmm I could really use a snack now”. Instead of exploring snack options you simply shut the thought down with a cognitive: “not now”. This will allow you to fairly easily maintain your current focus.

Lastly you could use planning as a weapon. By completing the more arduous thinking / focussing activities in the morning, while you still have loads of energy and less inner distractions like “I’m hungry”, you can get away with less focussed activity like screening voicemail, checking email or other “auto-pilot activities in the afternoons when you have less energy and thoughts of your couch at home become far more enticing than focussing on the finance report in front of you.

There are obviously many more things that distract us (don’t get me started on side-of-the-road or internet advertising) so use the principles of this blog in other areas of life as well.

Have a tremendous evening everyone!

Good day everyone!

Weekend YAY!

I’m sure most of us are happy about that. But how can we extrapolate that happiness?

Is it possible to learn to be happy or at least to create happiness?

The short answer is of course: “yes”.

It would make for a very long blog post to cover every single aspect and how one arrives at those aspects. I will therefor get to the point.

One of the most important things to do is to get to know yourself. Really know what makes you who you are. What causes your emotions and more importantly  -Why? You want to follow that with accepting you. Stop fighting your attributes. Simply manage the negative ones, but first accept them. When we accept ourselves it is so much easier to find happiness, because there is less conflict, less hassle and less negativity.

Another place where you can do something about your own happiness is your outlook and our general approach to life. If you start tasks of with a negative approach, chances are good that you will not have any enjoyment while doing it. If you wake up in the morning and your first thought is “oh no what terribleness will come my way today”, then you will probably only notice all the bad things in that day or squash the good because surely something bad is looming just around the corner. Does this sound familiar? Then you need to change your mind set and approach to life. A small challenge for you: When you wake up or start something; start it with “I’m going to see what happens” (as apposed to some negativity)

Then there is simply doing more of the things that make you happy. If you are not sure what they are monitor yourself for a week or two and write down every time you smile or laugh or feel content. Doing more of the healthy things that make us happy will create a general betterment in our mood as well.

Lastly, if you have a mood or anxiety disorder or some other reason that no matter what you do you just can’t maintain your own happiness, find assistance. There is no shame in asking for help or going to see a professional to assist you to get yourself to a place where you can experience more joy, more of the time.

With all this in mind please have a look at Vista Clinic’s Happiness helps micro site and use the happiness poll. http://www.happinesshelps.co.za/index.php/happiness-poll

Be honest and make this the start of your happiness recharge!!

Have a tremendous weekend everyone!

Good day everyone

Today I would like to get all of us to ‘Do’ rather than read. It’s all well and good to read about all the intellectual concepts and perhaps to realise where we may do things better.

I want us all to do a fun thing.

Below you will find a template with thirty circles (double click ‘Document 3’). Take the template and set a timer for three minutes (your cell phone probably has one in your click menu), now fill as many of those circles as you can within the three minutes.

Do it with co-workers or family at home or with friends and just see what you come up with.

Repeat this exercise later and even again tomorrow.

You may be looking for the “why” or goal of the exercise. There is NONE!

Just have a bit of fun!

You are welcome to send your works of circular art and I’ll be happy to include it in the next blog!

ENJOY!

Have a tremendous evening everyone!

(Circles Test, originally developed by Bob McKim)

Document3

Good morning everyone!

Yes, the blog comes early today.

A bit of harmless play for today. Other than just having a bit of fun and to play at work there is no point to today’s “challenge”.

You have to simply draw one of your colleagues. Then you have to show them and let us know their reaction. Come blog readers, play the game!!!

I showed my colleague and her reaction was “sjoe!” I just said, “I’m sorry I really cannot draw! But we had a good laugh.

Don’t forget to send me your circles (here is mine)

Don’t forget to send your drawings!

Have a tremendous day everyone!!

Good day everyone!

Here is my colleague’s rendering of me!

Nobody sent in any renderings.  (very sad, very, very sad)

So far this week we have looked at how we could play a little more and we have actually played a bit. But what are the benefits of play?

(In order to prevent a long drawn out blog I only cover the basics. But look below for the reference list to read more).

The benefits of play:

Play can be a stress reliever as it releases endorphins, which makes us feel better. By completing puzzles or playing memory games with friends and family it can also assist with the betterment of brain function. When we play, we are in more of a relaxed mood. When we are more relaxed we tend to be able to be more creative. Sharing playful activities with others will also create better relationships, it can be used as an icebreaker with new friends or deepen existing friendships.

Playfulness, of course possesses the qualities if making us feel young and energetic as well.

If you want to know more have a look ate these websites:

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/11/15/the-importance-of-play-for-adults/

There is also a TED on play that is very interesting:

http://www.ted.com/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital?language=en

Have a tremendous evening everyone.

Every other year I like to host a big party on my birthday.

On 1 January, I started thinking about what I was going to do that year.  From there, I let my thoughts run wild!  When I get an idea, I write it down whether it’s crazy or realistic.  The realistic ones are easy to manage, but the crazy ones are usually the most fun to work with because I need to be creative to find a way to make it work.  I would start working with what I have and build it up with what I need to borrow, rent or buy.

When we plan parties, we sometimes forget that we ourselves need to enjoy it.  I make sure to pop a few of my all-time favourite dance music items into the playlist. When I hear them, I  drop whatever I’m doing whether I’m eating or in a conversation and say:  Excuse me, but this is my song.  I need to dance! It’s also fun when you have a lot of friends or family that help you with the party because you know everything is taken care of and everyone can enjoy the party with you. Continue “Having fun while planning”

Good day everyone!

We have been talking about play and have done some fun things. Another why to have a bit of fun and, with some, simplify our world is to be creative in finding solutions to little everyday problems.

With this in mind I have posted some fun (and functional) “life hacks” below!

If you have some of these please comment on the blog and share them with us!

Have a tremendous day everyone!

look here for more…

50 Life Hacks to Simplify your World

http://1000lifehacks.com/

Good day everyone!

Today during lunch a colleague and I listened to a phone prank recording. It was very funny. After a really good laugh it actually made me think about all the things I have been writing about, for the blog, regarding play and I felt first hand how playfulness truly does have a relaxing, rejuvenating effect.

Remember how I wrote that being playful can have a creative effect, I lived that too! We started talking about how we could bring this feeling to the rest of the organisation. We brainstormed ideas of good clean (NOT dangerous, harmful or malicious) pranks that we could do at work to get everyone to laugh more and in return be that little bit more cheerful. We came up with some great ideas, a fun day activity and even some ideas on how to improve on the group presentations and content.

“OK, Ok you guys had fun, what are you driving at?” Asks the little voice in my head.

Well, a few things actually; it was really nice to live the things I have been writing about and have a stronger reference to it. Furthermore it was great to laugh and be creative without that “I’m racking my brain to come up with and idea” feeling, it just seemed to flow. Another thing that rose from this was the “time flies when you are having fun” concept, before we knew it, it was already two o’clock! I even got material for the blog!

I urge you again, dear readers, use the information you have read about, draw silly pictures, take destination-less drives, laugh at yourselves, use fun life hacks and just be more playful in general!

If nothing else you will have a bit of a laugh!

Have a tremendous evening everyone!

Hello everyone!

Today during lunch I overheard someone say to another person: “why do you talk so much?” The person’s reply was: “I enjoy it and you know we don’t even pay tax to do it!”

Two things caught my attention: I enjoy it and we don’t even pay tax to do it.

I enjoy it: I like to talk to people so I do. What a marvellous idea. I like to do something that is enjoyable, not harmful, not overly annoying and has the possibility to be fun, so I do it. I love listening to music: Is it practical to do it at work  – if yes, do it! I like the open air: Is it possible to do during your lunch break  – if yes, do it! I enjoy reading – when practical – do it!

For those who read it, our one blog told us that to turn something into play we have to enjoy it and want to (not have to) do it. It told us that when an activity has these elements it would make us feel better, energise us and we would be all the better for it. Then why, why, why do we not take all the stops and buts and what ifs out of what we want to do and just do it?

If you enjoy an activity and its not taxed (free) (and it does not harm or influence another person negatively) then why not do it – listen to music at work and sit in an open office  – use one earphone – no one hears your music and you can still hear if someone talks to you.

Like the open? Even walking around the car park during lunch will be better then being stuck behind your desk. The list goes on and on. The point here is to start doing those things that you enjoy, which you are always putting of.

Have a tremendous evening everyone!  

Good day everyone!

Whoop –whoop! It’s Friday! (In case you didn’t know)

Go ahead, make your weekend..

Let’s spare a thought for those of us that are working over the weekend. It’s not great, but someone has to do it and you can laugh at the rest when you have your off time during the week.

This morning I felt happy, nothing happened, I just felt good. I still tried to see why it was that I felt so good. (So I could use it again on a lower day). I could not put my finger on it. While I was flipping through the possible reasons in my mind I realized how many things there actually are to be happy about!

Rather than bore you with my own concepts I challenge you to find your own!

I’ll give you an example to start you of; I woke up peacefully – doesn’t happen often but I simply love it. Although there was traffic on the road, nobody cut me off or did anything silly, so a nice drive.

What a nice weekend we could all have if we just appreciate the little things that go right, smooth or just “not wrong”. Go ahead make your weekend!!

Have a tremendous weekend everyone!