This week has been very interesting so far; I think we were all expecting Steve to get us to make a presentation for reading week, which is why it didn’t come as much of a surprise to us all. After these two days working from home I have realised how hard it is to concentrate when there’s so many distractions, and I also didn’t realise how easily I could get distracted even by the smallest things.
I suppose I’m not as bad as I’m making out, since it was only really Mondays when I kept getting distracted. That was because the computer kept playing up and I was having trouble connecting to the internet on it, so I went on my dad’s laptop. The only real mistake about that was that I ended up sitting down stairs and that was the big distraction as my dad was watching TV, so every few minutes I ended up finding myself glued to the TV.
Tuesday went a lot better as I reinstalled some software on the computer and could connect to the internet again. This limited most of the distractions, as I was upstairs isolated in my room (well I wasn’t exactly isolated but it felt like it!). So this meant on Tuesday I got a lot of work done and proved to myself that I can work from home and get work done.
I am not looking forwards to doing the presentation, like I guess most of the class aren’t. But it’s something that I am going to have to do sooner or later and when I think about it every one else has to do it, so why should I be the one who tries to avoid doing it.
At the moment the presentation thing is not bothering me too much, I actually want to do it and get it over and done with because avoiding it will only make it harder to do in the future. It looks like we’ve got plenty of them to do on this course anyway. But saying that I know that on presentation day my feelings will change, and I’ll just let you know now, if I come in on Monday looking very ill and shaking, I’m scared to death about doing it! Let’s just hope I don’t get that nervous.
For the rest of the week I’m going to practice this presentation over and over and it will probably be the only thing I’ll think about till Monday. I’m also going to try and not worry myself about it, because that will make it a lot worse on the day.
Distractions are something I’ve encountered during my reading week. Due to problems that arose with my daughter’s nursery application, she isn’t starting nursery until next week so she has been at home with me this week. Therefore during the day I’ve had to look after her and get my work done while she is in bed at night. The TV isn’t a problem for me, I’m lazy when it comes to somethings, so before I start working, I take the batteries out of the remote and put them at the other end of the room. That way the remote doesn’t work and because of my laziness, I won’t move for the batteries. Sounds a bit far fetched but believe me, it works!
Sounds like a good technique taking the batteries out of the remote and if it works for you that’s even better.
At least you have a good excuse for getting distracted, unlike me.
Great comment by Sue, I like that technique!
I think you probably hit the nail on the head when you said about being less distracted when you worked upstairs.
I think it’s important to have a space set aside for working. Anybody who works from home generally has an office of some kind. Having this space can help focus you, and blatantly removing any distractions from this space is a good technique for avoiding problems.
I personally work in the kitchen. It’s quiet in there and I only get distracted around meal times when I’m having a break anyway.
As mentioned in my blog entry I find it really helpful is am listening to music as when I am working as this helps me to stay focused.
It means even if there are distractions around me I can’t here so they don’t bother me.
Great technique Sue, really like the thinking behind it.
Date stamp and time zone test.
I am the same about the presentation I think its best not to think about it know as we will only just get nervous about it. But I think every one is the same so theres nothing to worry about.
Hi
I think distractions are always a problem with a lot of people. Especially if the person is not in the right frame of mind.
I get distracted a lot. I found the best way to stay focused on the task at hand is to find the time of day when you are least distractible and use every minute of that time to get the most out of it. I know from my past courses that my concentration really starts to kick in at around 9pm, the music fades out – although on but I can no longer hear it as I’m concentrating on my work so much.
As for reading week the times were obviously not up for negotiation but I have found when I get distracted it is best for me to give into it and get it out of my system and have a short break. I have found in my case a cigarette or two will fix it, but this may not work for someone.
Hey Greg
You are right. The presentation task didn’t really come as any surprise to us.
Distractions are evident even in the work place with emails, phone calls and general chitter chatter.
How you are professionally is largely down to how you react to them.
Do not worry so much about the presentation, even if it goes drastically wrong (which I am sure that it won’t) we will have many MANY more opportunities to get it right.
I’m looking forward to it
–
Shaun Bellis
My Journal
Haha, the batteries out of the remote is definately a good idea, though I’m not sure it would work for me personally, I actually prefer some distractions around me when working, e.g. right now I have my headphones in and my music is quite loud. It enables me to take mini breaks for 1-2minutes whenever I feel like it, which yes does make it abit of a longer process; it also means I’m doing things in a much more relaxed enviroment.
Well it’s the evening before the presentation and I’m nervous. Tomorrow, it is the presentation and I will be shaking as well, as doing presentations is the worst thing that anyone could ask me to do!
But it has to be done and as long as you have practised your presentation and have cue cards at the ready, hopefully all will go well. At the end of the day it’s the first one and it will be good experience even if it is a bit nerve racking!