Comments on: First Ever Reading Week

By: Thomas Wealthy

Thomas Wealthy — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 18:50:00 +0000

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!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:18:00 +0000

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.

By: shaunbellis

shaunbellis — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:28:00 +0000

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

By: Gary Benn

Gary Benn — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:54:00 +0000

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.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:01:00 +0000

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.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:08:00 +0000

Date stamp and time zone test.

By: James Bell

James Bell — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:15:00 +0000

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.

By: Tom Smith

Tom Smith — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:38:00 +0000

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.

By: Greg Carrick

Greg Carrick — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:33:00 +0000

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.

By: Suzanne Hullah

Suzanne Hullah — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:10:00 +0000

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!