This is one question that I have been asking people the last couple of weeks. âWhat is the opposite of distraction?â And the answers have generally been Concentration, Focus, Attention and the like. Which of course are valid. But I have a different answer in mind which is what I wanted to write about.
First, some context. Over the last few weeks, my calendar has had sparse empty spaces. Travel, conversations and plain intense work occupying much of it. On the side-lines of such intensity, I became very present to the my distractions and hence the question: What is the opposite of distraction?
The opposite of distraction is..
Ok. Here is my proposition. The opposite of distraction is âtractionâ! The last week has been frustrating at times. Especially so, when just after realising that I have been distracted and turning out suboptimal work. For whenever I lost my concentration and focus, the prime thing that got wrecked was traction in stuff that I had to get done. Distraction, as the word indicates, is the absence of traction!
There are reams of books written on distraction. Or the inability to stay attentive with a large share of blame resting on modern devices. But its not always technology. In an interesting piece in the Wall Street Journal titled âTikTok brain explained: Why some kids seem hooked on social video feedsâ, there are two very interesting lines.
âIn the short-form snackable world, youâre getting quick hit after quick hit, and as soon as itâs over, you have to make a choiceâ.
âIf you want kids to pay attention, they need to practice paying attentionâ.
What applies to kids applies to us as well. We need ot practice paying attention and stay away from snacks! After doing some work over the last week, here are two statements I can make with confidence.
If you want to get into a state of flow, do one thing at a time. No, thatâs not original. I am fully endorsing Mihalyi Chizenmihalyiâs (of the FLOW fame). Multitasking is a fraud that hope plays on us. Just being strict about not multi-tasking at work has helped my net productivity!
There is one more aspect. When you focus on one task at a time, I feel less pressure. Incomplete tasks increase the weight on the mind. I also found that my âincompleteâ task list increased every time I attempted multi tasking in short spans of time. Completion is a function of doing one thing at a time. And doing it well!
So? Some additional notes
Here are some notes to myself that I am taking the liberty to share with you. My reflections from last week, if you will.
- Always, have a piece of paper nearby that helps write down other stuff that crosses your mind, whilst you focus on one thing. For instance, just as I am writing this note, I remembered that I had to call a friend. I have made it a point to record that thought in a piece of paper and have continued with writing. I will get to calling her after finishing this note.
- This has been a huge shift for me. The biggest realisation has been that we donât have be to distracted only by the âbadâ and the âinconsequentialâ like Instagram and twitter. Work disrupts work!
- Set time limits to work is important to figure it how to make time estimates to work. I am not doing a great job at this right now!
- Go easy on yourself. Itâs ok. Donât let the fact that you were distracted cause more distraction.
And as Stephen Covey famously said, the main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing! That is what gives us traction. Or the opposite of distraction!
Every fortnight I put out the OWL Despatch. A short essay of what I think will help you and a curation of interesting reads. This is edition 103.
- The Donkey Farmerâs magical match making book, is a must read. Check it out.
- Tracing the journeys of Indiaâs women economists and policymakers. This article carries many names that was inspiring to see.
- Turns out the Great Resignation may be followed by the Great Regret. Do you see it unfolding around you too?
- A related article is the misunderstanding of ‘Why we work?‘ which causes many issues in teams and organisations.
- For Real Productivity, Less is Truly More. This HBR piece reaffirms many things!
Thatâs that for this edition!
Heres wishing you the very best for now. And remember the opposite of distraction is traction! To gain traction, pay attention. Do one thing at a time.
