Focus

[Stevie1903]

im frustrated and feeling a bit down at the moment.

It's Monday and start of a new week. We are planning a new kitchen and some other things are going on at home.

Because of this my focus and thoughts are not on my work. When I have stuff going on elsewhere or planning things I find I just can't put it to the side. I find work suffers and I just don't want to be here. Much more important things at home.

I realise in general people prefer to be away from work! Thing is it really effects me. Work just doesn't matter.

Anyone else struggle to deal with different things
going on?

 

[Harrison]

This is an issue for me too.

At the moment I am waiting for medical results after nearly three months off work, just been told my pay entitlement has run out so I'm focused on trying to get this sorted out. More importantly I get married next week, but my focus on getting back to work is distracting me from putting my full attention on the wedding.

The good thing is that it looks like I'm just being seriously chilled out about the weeding, when normally, I would be running around panicking

 

[Stevie1903]

This is an issue for me too.

At the moment I am waiting for medical results after nearly three months off work, just been told my pay entitlement has run out so I'm focused on trying to get this sorted out. More importantly I get married next week, but my focus on getting back to work is distracting me from putting my full attention on the wedding.

The good thing is that it looks like I'm just being seriously chilled out about the weeding, when normally, I would be running around panicking

Hope you get the work issue sorted and good luck for the wedding next week.

Of course I'm sitting at work looking at aspie Central when really I should be working.

 

[Progster]

Yes, definitely. There's a financial crisis in the country I live in, and my paypal account no longer works. I have limited access to my funds and have no way of getting paid. I'm very worried, and it's affecting my work - my mind's just not on it.

 

[psychotopsy]

Yes, definitely. When I had my exams this spring, I just skipped a lot of the revision(that I desperately needed to do) because I had a lot going on in my personal life. It happens often when I have other worries that distract me. I can't focus as well and my work and studies suffer.

 

[Naturalist]

I have a great mind for focusing... once I have determined what I must focus on now.

My difficulty is often knowing what to prioritize. In the problem you describe, so many things seem equally important, or alternatively, what is most important to you may not be what is a priority for your boss.

Also, I have found that in order to focus well I have to put some distance (both physical and psychological) between myself and "the other stuff" (the stuff that isn't the immediate priority). In a typical workday, that doesn't happen; by the time I get my mind to the point that it is focused on work, it is time to go home, and then I have to shift my focus again. Very frustrating and counterproductive.

At work, I ask my boss what are the priorities in order of importance / urgency, and he outlines them for me on paper. Then I have a list which helps me to concentrate. If I find my attention is still suffering, I ask him for suggestions about how to get started. That said, I have a very tolerant boss, but any good boss will realize that it's in the interest of the business to help you be productive.

At home, I often have to ask family members about their priorities, so that I don't neglect them in favor of my own.

 

[Stevie1903]

I have a great mind for focusing... once I have determined what I must focus on now.

My difficulty is often knowing what to prioritize. In the problem you describe, so many things seem equally important, or alternatively, what is most important to you may not be what is a priority for your boss.

Also, I have found that in order to focus well I have to put some distance (both physical and psychological) between myself and "the other stuff" (the stuff that isn't the immediate priority). In a typical workday, that doesn't happen; by the time I get my mind to the point that it is focused on work, it is time to go home, and then I have to shift my focus again. Very frustrating and counterproductive.

At work, I ask my boss what are the priorities in order of importance / urgency, and he outlines them for me on paper. Then I have a list which helps me to concentrate. If I find my attention is still suffering, I ask him for suggestions about how to get started. That said, I have a very tolerant boss, but any good boss will realize that it's in the interest of the business to help you be productive.

At home, I often have to ask family members about their priorities, so that I don't neglect them in favor of my own.

It's very easy to neglect others priorities. It usually takes for my wife to reach her breaking point before I take notice. It's not ideal.

I can focus on things brilliantly but only when it suites me. I love planning holidays/vacations. I can spend hours on end over months at a time.

If it doesn't suite me then the focus just isn't there.

 

[Beverly]

First, congratulations, Harrison, on your upcoming marriage. I wish you and your bride all the best.

For me, when I have too many things going on in too many different areas, I find that compartmentalizing them, just like i do my humans helps me focus on what I need to focus on at the moment. I put things in boxes and, close them all, so I can't focus on them then, open only the one I need to focus on at the moment. When I am done with that, I close the box and open the next one.

 

[Harrison]

First, congratulations, Harrison, on your upcoming marriage. I wish you and your bride all the best.

Thank you