Distractions

 

Distractions

“Modern life pulls at the mind from every direction. Even on quiet days, the volume of choices, cues, and opportunities for distraction is unlike anything evolution prepared us to handle.”                                                       

- Steven Kotler

The quote is a statement of fact. It does not offer a solution, nor suggest a method of coping. This is the world we live in. We are bombarded with information, opportunities, rabbit holes, and data. There is no answer nor solution. It is constant. This is not going to change. The key is to understand that, and deal with it. Know that if you let them, distractions will ruin progress and productivity. Seek quiet time and stillness, but know it is hard to find.

Listening

Listening is a favorite topic of the MMM.  People can listen at a rate of 600 words per minute, but they can only talk only at 100 to 150 words per minute.  As a result listeners are easily distracted, they can process more information than a person speaking to them can deliver.  The challenge is to use the extra time, the extra processing capacity, to listen more productively.  Unfortunately, most people start planning what they are going to say next instead of listening to the speaker’s concluding words.  Ironically, the last sentence, which usually contains the meat or most important point, is totally missed by most listeners.  Think about it, how often are you planning a response and not listening to someone speaking to you?

Slow down and listen...