Action and Distraction

Nothing ever gets achieved without action. More specifically, multiple actions, taken over a period of time, in a rational order and monitored so the end result can be verified.

I have executed 10 actions over the past two days and now this blog post is published.

A few days ago, I had question in my mind about the origin of the two words, I wondered whether they had the same linguistic root and whether one was the opposite of the other and in terms getting some work done, whether one was the undoing of the other.

If I hadn’t taken the actions I took subsequently, that would have been the end of it - a couple of internet searches, some directionless thinking about it and then nothing.

And when it comes to how we interrogate the world and how we cultivate interests that we know aren’t our real passions in life, that’s all fine. Random curiosity is a good thing, unfocused enquiry is fine, and we don’t have to produce something at the end of it.

But when it comes to the big things, things that we are passionate about, things that matter and have real consequences for us, then the taking of action is essential to produce results.

We all know we have choices about how many devices we have on or near us, how may apps we have and how many notifications. We know how to put the phone on call forward, on silent or in the drawer.

We also have choices about self-control. We can decide when to check email, Twitter/IG etc.

We can decide not to make a cup of tea, tidy the desk/kitchen/linen cupboards until we have finished the thing we're working on.

Which is all fine - except that we often find it so difficult to do!

It turns out that the words don’t share a common origin.

Distraction is defined as having your attention drawn away from something you want to concentrate on.

Action is defined as doing something for a particular purpose.

And that’s where I found the point of this article.

What is apparent from the definitions is that when I am in action, I am doing something. I am exerting control over something, I am active. I am focused on getting something done for a particular purpose.

Then I get distracted. My attention is drawn away from the thing I want to do. I’m not exerting control, I'm being passive. I was focused on getting something done but now I’m distracted and have lost the traction needed to move forward.

I have swapped my focus, activity and purpose for passivity; and passivity creates nothing.

Distractions - digital and non-digital are a fact of life at work and at home. There's only so much we can do to control our environment and we also need to acknowledge our human need for distraction - as a break, as novelty or as a reward.

Things I’ve found useful in taming distraction are:

Set a Deadline

If you're working on something that will take many hours, set several interim deadlines. This breaks up the big task into more manageable chunks and also helps monitor progress. Work to each interim deadline and then stop, switch to something else or take a distraction break.

Be Realistic

We have a limited concentration span and we need to be realistic about it. Don’t overextend the limit of your focus. Set a timer for say 40/50 minutes and schedule a 10-minute break at the end those 50 minutes. Use the break for fresh air or your distraction of choice.

Clean up your Area

Remove as many devices as you can from your immediate work area. Out of sight does become out of mind. For those devices that you need with you, turn off notifications or minimise screens, anything to remove the visual or aural reminders of the external world.

Finally, if one of your known distractions involves a kettle or coffee machine - get organised before you start work so you already have your fresh cup of tea/coffee in front of you!