TECH: Filler Short Attention Span

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting: Fri, 11 Mar 1994 11:30:57 JST

Hi, Ipatia

I'll keep this short.

1. Outline. Then fit bits into the outline. Repeat. Each attack on the outline may be only a few words, but in a very short time you'll have a long outline. Then expand a little bit at a time again. Just like blowing up a balloon, you don't have to do it in one big whoosh, you can do it with little puffs and when you finish, no one but you will know the difference.

2. Scribble sheet. Write the extra thoughts and side issues on another sheet of paper (I keep a clipboard by the computer). Then make yourself go back to the part you promised yourself you would work on.

3. Reward yourself AFTER doing a bit. Then set your goals a little longer/higher and don't reward yourself until you hit them. That snack is a reward for not writing - which isn't what you want to do, right?

Try those three.
tink

WOTD: focus

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting: Thu, 15 Jul 1993 17:57:01 JST

fo-cus (foh-kus) (pl. focuses, foci)

1. the point at which rays meet or from which they appear to proceed
2. the point or distance at which an object is most clearly seen by the eye or through a lens
3. an adjustment on a lens to produce a clear image at varying distances
4. a center of activity or interest, etc.

(v) (focused, focusing)

1. to adjust the focus of (a lens or the eye)
2. to bring into focus
3. to concentrate or be concentrated or directed (on a center etc.)

to lack focus (business and educational institutional usage)

1. slow down and do things the way I do.
2. don't ask questions I don't know the answers to.
3. ignore multiple levels, related points, and other parts of a complete, healthy understanding
4. quit looking around, thinking, and being interested in things I don't understand.
5. don't study, teach, or try to develop yourself or others (with an icy breath of "stay in your place" at times...)
6. put your blinders on, stop doing things I can't do, and sink to my level of boring closed-mindedness before I have to do something unusual such as think about my routine plodding along deeply worn tracks.

(based on almost 30 years of being criticized about focus. At this point in my life, I consider this comment and related forms as a signal indicating that I am threatening someone's cherished routines of thought. Whether to continue or not is up to me - and you! However, you should also consider it a compliment, as it means you are making them exercise that ill-used organ, their brain...)

in other words, consider the source - and go ahead and be the best person you can be for you!

conjugation practice!

I am a Renaissance woman. vs I am a specialist.
You lack focus. vs.  You are focused.
They are scatter-brained. vs. They are narrow-minded.

tink (who has never seen any particular virtue in being single-tracked...)