Comments on: The Big Distraction

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:17:47 +0000

I wish someone I know would read this! I totally agree, although sometimes a few minutes de-stress and some head-clearing can mean I’m more effectively tackling a problem – a lot of stuff gets solved and motivation kicks after a couple of minutes relaxing in in the shower!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:46:25 +0000

Trent – thanks for the reminder. You’re sooo right that it’s less stressful to confront whatever you’re avoiding. Completing the job makes the down time sweeter. Cheers!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:53:01 +0000

As Mary Poppins says (and my husband quotes often) Well Begun is Half-Done.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:53:57 +0000

This is so funny! Your blog is my distraction.

By: Kymm

Kymm — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:52:55 +0000

For the last couple of months I have taken a break from reading financial blogs and I have returned to this topic. What a coicidence! I’m currently procrastinating on a time sensitive urgent task.

My distraction tactic is cleaning. In fact, as of this morning, my house is currently spotless. I was acually looking for another distraction (hence logging on to read finance blogs). So instead I guess I better address the issue eh!

Just wanted to let you know this blog entry really hit home and I found it very helpful.

Thank you!

By: imelda

imelda — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:29:44 +0000

Stefanie, #8, said “For some people, unwinding and de-stressing is an absolutely necessary part of the day to make life better and easier in the long run.” The truth is, it’s necessary for everyone. Trent, you missed a crucial part of the issue with this post – how to unwind/relax without spending hours vegging in front of the TV. The only way anyone can adopt the advice you give, succinctly summarized above as “get back to work, people!” is if they find better ways of relaxing.

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:48:22 +0000

What happens when you want to unwind b/c you’ve been busy doing one of these other things “enriching” things, like getting an education? For some people, unwinding and de-stressing is an absolutely necessary part of the day to make life better and easier in the long run. I work much more efficiently if I take breaks than if I try to keep going once my focus is lost. That’s usually the way the mind works, and its fine by me.

By: Susanna a.k.a. Cheap Like Me

Susanna a.k.a. Cheap Like Me — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:17:56 +0000

Great tips. I’m trying to break a habit of playing “brain-enriching” games instead of doggedly figuring out where I want to take my life next! I’m trying the “pomodoro technique” to stay focused on work — so far, it really helps by building in breaks.

By: chacha1

chacha1 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:04:01 +0000

I am an escapist! But here’s the thing … I like my job, and my at-home to-do list is full of things that are 99% optional. (Seriously, we’re talking about line items like “change buttons on red shirt.”) There’s nothing I’m avoiding doing that is necessary to life. And I’m not goofing off to de-stress … just because I *can.* That makes it REALLY hard to buckle down!

Thanks for helping me see why I avoid that to-do list so diligently. :-)

By: Emily

Emily — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:14:48 +0000

Volunteering in a field you wish you were in can be both fun escapism and a step toward actually being in that field.

Volunteer teaching/tutoring is a classic example, but nonprofits everywhere often need help with web and/or computer issues, general office work, marketing, efficiency, decluttering, and more.

By: anon

anon — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:07:20 +0000

My sister says, if you have dug yourself into a hole, stop digging.

By: J

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:00:12 +0000

You could have been more succinct — “GET BACK TO WORK, PEOPLE!!”

By: friend

friend — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:27 +0000

Well, Trent, I was reading your blog to distract me from some hard work I need to do… So, back to work for me. Cheers!

By: Little House

Little House — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:33:31 +0000

Great topic. It takes determination and some gumption to meet a problem or task head-on without getting distracted first. And, I totally agree that if you work on the task first, you find that it didn’t take nearly as long as you thought it would. Using avoidance tactics only prolongs getting something done. (I know this first hand, I had to buckle down and write a paper for class this past weekend and it took me much less time than I had thought!)