Let’s kick things off with a pop quiz: You’re reading a riveting article about the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle when you remember you want a snack. You head to the kitchen, but on the way, you see a sock on the floor. Picking it up, you decide to toss it into the laundry. By the laundry, you find a misplaced book and decide to return it to the shelf. Now, where were you headed? Oh, right, the article!
If this sounds eerily familiar, then you, dear reader, might just be a member of the “Distracted Club”.
A Blast from the Past
Back in the 70s and 80s, ADD and ADHD weren’t on the tip of every tongue. We weren’t diagnosed – no siree! Instead, they said we had our heads in the clouds, were prone to daydreaming, or were just plain fidgety. And okay, maybe we did chase a lot of butterflies (both literally and figuratively). And maybe, just maybe, we lost track of our train of thought more times than we’d like to admit.
But here’s the deal: just because no one labeled it back then, doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.
Hey, I Turned Out Okay!
Fast forward a few decades and I’ve joined the over-50 crowd. I’ve built a successful career, but not without wrangling that pesky distraction monster every single day. For all of us daydream believers who never got a formal diagnosis or training on how to “sit still and focus” (boy, if I had a dollar for every time I heard that phrase as a kid!), it’s been a wild ride. And even now, that temptation to drift away, mentally or physically, to another shiny topic is always lurking.
But here’s a little secret: It’s not just us. Whether you’re from the Disco Era, the Grunge Period, or somewhere in between – distraction isn’t a millennial thing, it’s an every-generation thing. The difference? Now we’ve got more names for it and more tools to handle it.
A Little Help for My Fellow Wanderers
If you’ve ever felt like a pinball, bouncing from one thing to another, you’re in luck. Over the years, I’ve found some simple tricks that have helped me, and they might just help you:
- Break tasks into smaller bites. Instead of looking at a project as a whole, break it down. Smaller tasks mean quicker rewards. Think of it like snacking, but for the brain.
- Try the Pomodoro Technique. Essentially, you work for 25 minutes and then break for 5. It’s kind of like interval training, but for focus. Plus, you get to say “Pomodoro”, which is just fun.
- Personally, I like to write. Even if it’s just a sentence or two a day, putting thoughts to paper can work wonders for your focus.
- Exercise! Not saying you need to be the next Olympian, but a walk around the block can get the blood flowing and reset your mind.
- Work on mindfulness & meditation. Don’t roll your eyes just yet. There are tons of apps and videos that offer 5-minute guided sessions. It’s like a mini-vacation for your brain.
Let’s Embrace the Wanderlust
So yes, perhaps my train of thought derails more often than I’d like. Maybe I did spend 10 minutes looking for my glasses only to find them on top of my head. But here’s the thing, our “distractedness” makes us who we are. We notice things others might miss, we make connections that aren’t immediately obvious, and, occasionally, we go on grand adventures to the fridge and back whereas others might consider it mundane.
Whether you call it ADD, ADHD, or just a penchant for getting lost in your thoughts, let’s have a conversation about it. Because it’s not just for the kiddos – it’s for all of us who’ve ever been distracted by the shiny allure of…wait, where was I going with this? Oh right! Let’s embrace our unique minds, with all their detours and diversions, and enjoy the journey.
And for those who DO tend to bout with distractedness, just know that there are also some positive characteristics that are also associated with this condition. Address and overcome your weaknesses, but use your strengths to your advantage.
