...Free Version focus A simplicity manifesto in the Age of Distraction Leo Babauta focus: about about focus T his book, “focus”, is by Leo Babauta, creator of zen habits and mnmlist. It was written publicly, online, in small bursts, with feedback from readers throughout the writing process. It would be much worse without their wonderful help. dedication The book is dedicated to my grandfather, Joe Murphy, who lived a life that inspired me, and whose death has left a gap in my life ... and to my grandmother, Marianne Murphy, who I love deeply and whose strength and kindness have always pointed the way for me. uncopyright All content of this book are in the public domain. I hereby waive all claim of copyright in this work; it may be used or altered in any manner without attribution or notice to the me. Attribution, of course, is appreciated. To clarify, I’m granting full permission to use any content on this site, including the chapters of my book, in any way you like. I release my copyright on this content. While you are under no obligation to do so, I would appreciate it if you give me credit for any work of mine that you use, and ideally, link back to the original. If you feel like spreading a copy of this book, you may do so without payment. 2 full version This is the free version of this ebook, which can also be found at focusmanifesto.com. The full version of the ebook contains additional chapters: 1. creativity and practicing deep focus 2....
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...desk, it is best for me to focus on one thing at a time. The same is true when I am at home trying to get multiple things done at the same time. The only task that can be done while doing chores is washing clothes. You only have to stop to change the clothes from the washing machine to the dryer. When Driving…. When I am driving you may see me doing several things but nothing major. I know you really shouldn’t do anything while driving. Although there are times when I may need to talk on the phone, if so, I use speaker phone. I may eat crackers or chips while driving but normally I eat in. When Studying… When I am studying I have to be focused. If I have the TV on, I am easily distracted. I can play music at times in the background and stay focused. It has to be soft music though, but I cannot look at my phone. If I look at Facebook or Instagram I lose sight of what I am studying. I really have to limit what I am doing while studying. If I cook while studying, my food might be burned. Activity on pg.139…. During this activity, I found just what I said to be true, I really cannot do anything while studying. I am not sure if the music was distracting because I was focused on it being a distraction or if I really could not focus. I need a quiet environment to study in. Focused Awareness or Divided Attention My finding from the experiment falls more under drifting consciousness. I just continually lost my train of thought. I could simply feel myself “daydreaming” my...
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...Social Media Addiction Distracts Drivers Noelyne Paet Chamberlain College of Nursing Social Media Addiction Distracts Drivers PR Newswire (2015) reported Abby Slatten, 20-years-old, was allegedly speeding at 85 miles per hour (mph) while scrolling through pictures on her Facebook account via smartphone. Tragically, Slatten plowed into another car that killed another driver who was at the elderly age of 89-years-old. The elderly victim could have been someones parent, friend, or sibling who did not deserve a fatal ending to their life. A similar story, involved a young 34-year-old woman who received a prison sentencing of 10 years with a $25,000 fine for sending a text message while driving that could not wait, in result, crashed and killed her daughter and two nieces all who were in the same car. That women will serve her sentencing but will never be able to bring back her loved ones back from the accident. The constant reminders of roadway accidents ending in tragedy, such as those police reports, are widely spread across our nation. All tragic stories are disheartening to hear and think about; a reminder to play our part in keeping our roads safer. Tragedy may effect your next door neighbor or a stranger in the local supermarket; no matter who we are or what our background is tragedy exist and does not discriminate against anyone. People can make a difference to their daily living. There are those small percentage of people who has a habit that is...
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...1. You are a member of a physical education staff in a high school in which the instructional program is under attack by the faculty. It has been suggested that the program be abolished. Prepare a brief defense of the instructional physical educationprogram thast descirbes its nature,scope, and worth in the educational process? Physical education is very important to me because. Physical education can give students an opportunity to take a break from academic study, get some fresh air and clear their head. If they've been listening to teachers, and reading and writing for hours at a time exercise can help wake them up a bit and make them feel more alert so that when they go back to class they are able to concentrate better and take more information in. It is all well and good for teachers to concentrate on cramming as many 'important' lessons into the timetable as possible, but doing so won't necessarily mean students learn more, particularly if they end up getting distracted due to a short attention span. Even if children do not want to do the exercise just walking around talking to friends helps them relax and makes them better students for the rest of classes. 2. You have been invited to speak to the PTO in your community on the topic”The role of physical education in the community”prepared a speech that described the role of physical education and present it to your class. With obesity at an all time high, schools and communities are encouraging students to take part...
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...everyone wants to be listened to when having a conversation with others, it does not always happen that way. There are listening barriers that cause conflict during interpersonal communication. Listening barriers are things, people, situations, or environments that keep an individual from listening effectively during a conversation. Some of these barriers include Self Absorption (only concerned about them self), unchecked emotion (cannot listen because emotional arousal), criticism of the speaker (more focused on who giving the message than the message), differing speech and thought rate (being able to think as fast as someone speaks), information overload (distracted by technology or not being in the mood for conversation), external noise (distractions in an environment), and listener apprehension ( fear of being unable to understand, comprehend, interpret, or adjust during conversation) (Beebe, Beebe, & Redmond, Chapter Chapter 5, 2011).A prime example when more than one of these barriers are displayed is when I come home from work and each one of my children (total of four) are all trying to have a conversation all at one time. Listening Barrier between Children When I come home from work the children are so anxious in telling me about their day and finding out about my day. They do not realize that the other child is talking because their mind is set on what they are trying to say. This barrier is self absorption because all each child...
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...It all started when our cliche, protagonistic figure, Bill Brasky, woke up in a haunted thicket. It was the second time it had happened. Feeling exceedingly exasperated, Bill Brasky poked a potato, thinking it would make him feel better (but as usual, it did not). A few unfulfilled decades later, he realized that his beloved iPad was missing! Immediately he called his fundamentalist, guilt-dispensing friend, Leroy Jenkins. Bill Brasky had known Leroy Jenkins for (plus or minus) half a million years, the majority of which were flamboyant ones. Leroy Jenkins was unique. She was plucky though sometimes a little... oafish. Bill Brasky called her anyway, for the situation was urgent. Leroy Jenkins picked up to a very ecstatic Bill Brasky. Leroy Jenkins calmly assured him that most spotted wolf hamsters yawn before mating, yet man-eating capybaras usually charismatically belch *after* mating. She had no idea what that meant; she was only concerned with distracting Bill Brasky. Why was Leroy Jenkins trying to distract Bill Brasky? Because she had snuck out from Bill Brasky's with the iPad only two days prior. It was a enchanting little iPad... how could she resist? It didn't take long before Bill Brasky got back to the subject at hand: his iPad. Leroy Jenkins sneezed. Relunctantly, Leroy Jenkins invited him over, assuring him they'd find the iPad. Bill Brasky grabbed his hippopotamus and disembarked immediately. After hanging up the phone, Leroy Jenkins realized that...
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...The Art of Listening www.humanikaconsulting.com Learning outcomes • Explain what we mean by listening skills • Identify why listening skills are important, from an employability perspective • Identify key reasons why we often fail to listen effectively • Adopt simple listening techniques to ensure that you listen effectively Introduction • Almost 45% of time we spend in listening. • An essential management and leadership skill. • A process of receiving, interpreting and reacting to a message. • Difference between listening & hearing Why Be A Good Listener? Needs of the Customer… • To be recognized and remembered • To feel valued • To feel appreciated • To feel respected • To feel understood • To feel comfortable about a want or need Traits of a Good Listener • • • • • Being non-evaluative Paraphrasing Reflecting implications Reflecting hidden feelings Inviting further contributions • Responding non-verbally Percentage of Communication Mode of Communication Writing Reading Speaking Listening Formal Years of Training 12 years 6-8 years 1-2 years 0-few hours Percentage of Time Used 9% 16 % 30% 45% Listening is the most powerful form of acknowledgment …a way of saying, “You are important.” Listening builds stronger relationships …creates a desire to cooperate among people because they feel accepted and acknowledged. Listening promotes being heard …”Seek first to understand, then be understood.” - Stephen Covey Listening creates...
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...Texting While Driving 2200 words Texting While Driving In America, turning sixteen is a huge milestone for most teens because that is when they finally get to drive a car. You spend time studying for the test, even more than you would for your algebra tests. You endure painful driving lessons from your overprotective parents who are gripping on the passenger seats for dear life and lecture you just for going a little bit too fast. Finally, when you are ready, you take the nerve-wrecking driving test where, if you are unlucky, your driving examiner would be a grumpy looking man who looks so strict you lose your nerve and start making silly mistakes. However, after going through the pain and hardships, you finally do it. You get your license and you get a little taste of freedom. No more having your mother pick you up after school or getting a ride with your dad who might sometimes embarrass you in front of your friends. Unfortunately, once you start driving, everything you have learnt went out the window. You drive with your radio turned up, you rarely turn your head all the way to the back when changing lanes, and the worst habit of all, you start texting and even talk on the phone while you are driving. The advancement of technology has made different forms of communication so easily accessible. Social media is such a huge part of us and it is all in the palm of our hands. Sure, it is a good thing that it is so convenient for us but doing all that while behind the wheel...
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...instruction it is common the as little as 30% of a message is received. It is safe practice to keep important messages written down so there is not a lack of communications. Some maintenance outfits use log books so that other shifts can refer back to what was done and by who. Verbal messages need to be relatively short with key things being emphasized on. As a person that is getting instructions it is very important no to assume anything and to have things clarified. (Adams, 2009) Distraction Distractions are anything that can take the attention of a person during a task. There are distraction during work that cannot be removed and heave to be worked with. Noises are a key distraction in the workplace that cannot be solved. Many distractions are avoidable or can be dealt with at a more acceptable time. Some examples are if this are social conversations, shift patterns, administrative tasks, meeting dates, and leave entitlement. Some psychologist have said that distractions are the key to forgetting things. It is a common tendency for humans to think ahead of...
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...The Death of Solitude The three pieces of writing I will be discussing in this essay all are concerned with technology and the impact it has on our lives, specifically on our privacy – not just in the literal sense, but on our privacy of thought. Alex Pang’s blog entry “Technology and Solitude” is a response to an article in the Chronicle Review by William Deresiewicz, and is mostly comprised of quotations from that article. Michele McCormick’s piece “We’re Too Busy For Ideas” appeared in a 1993 issue of Newsweek, and aims to shed light on the effects a newly-purchased walkman has had on the author’s thought process. Sasha Cagen’s blog entry is more speculative in nature, appearing on a website for singles (Quirkyalone) and entitled “Are Our Phones Robbing Us of Solitude.” The entry questions whether we are ever truly alone anymore, and if we have come to view solitude negatively. Of all these, I consider Pang’s to be the most effective in getting me to think about the concepts he outlines. I will now attempt to explain, from a rhetorical perspective, why that is. As I mentioned before, Pang’s piece is made up largely of quotations from Deresiewicz’s essay, and in some ways this makes it somewhat more difficult to assess the rhetorical appeals he uses. But the quotations have been selected carefully and successfully enhance the points he is trying to address. His writing style is succinct and clear, minimalistic in a way, and that quality appeals to me very much – he does not...
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...and also brought about change because of all the time spent online. As a writer, he finds the web a valuable tool, but he think it’s having a bad effect on concentration. Carr admits that we, as a culture, read a lot more because of the web, but passionately express our ability to interpret text, to make the rich mental connections that form when we read deeply and without distraction, remains largely disengaged. With that being said, I’ve noted with occasional and increasing concern that changes in the character of my attention and my use of down time. As the article warrants, I used to daydream and make random connections while standing in line at the grocery store, or during my lunch breaks. Now on the other hand, I look through my purse at every break. It feels like as times goes by and these trends continue, my attention deficit only increases. It worries me that my abstract thinking and personal reflection time are getting spent on interesting websites, family games, and the latest movie thriller. I suspect the internet only serves to amplify inherent character traits toward distraction seeking or self-direction. Some may argue that the problem is not the internet or google and that it has more to do with the foundational root overall. Many people, even with Google, never bother to look up things because they don’t deem it...
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...Distracted Driving Sometimes in life “sorry” can become a magic word and fix everything, then there are times that saying “sorry” undoes nothing. Will saying “sorry” help when you crash your parent’s car, because you are too busy looking at your phone? What about when you kill someone’s child because you’re too busy talking to your friend and run a stop light? Will you say “sorry” to the kid’s parents and expect everything to be okay? Saying “sorry” cannot begin to fix some things and preventing those from happening by acting responsibly in the first place is the best you can do. I like the introduction technique with the hypothetical questions. However, you now need to transition into your thesis or central claim, and that central claim needs to come here, at the end of the intro paragraph. Ninety percent of car accidents are caused by human error – driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, speeding recklessly, changing lanes without signaling, passing through red lines, and probably most known of all: distracted driving OK, first of all, don’t begin body paragraphs with statistics. Rarely should you do this. Instead, remember that I want your body paragraphs to begins with subclaims. Secondly, where did you get this statistic? This is not a research paper (you’ll be taught proper research in Composition II). For now, we want you to avoid research sources except your interviews. . Distracted Driving is dangerous and can kill you and those people around you.—THIS...
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...1. Methods Numerous research studies have addressed driver distraction. Most of these studies address issues relating to the distraction effects of cellular phones [27]. A review of the literature published over the past seventeen years was conducted. The search was limited to articles published in English between February 13, 1997 to December 30, 2014, involving young novice drivers, middle aged and fairly experienced drivers, old drivers. To be comprehensive with the literature I have conducted a very broad search using such keywords along with the fixed keyword of driver distraction: texting messaging, young driver, accident, old age driver, psychological effect etc. I initially found 27 articles that directly or indirectly assessed the...
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...driving Do you drive distracted? Do you care more about that phone call or text? Or what about that conversation or laughter in the backseat? A lot of people don't realize how selfish they are to put there life at risk, and more importantly the other people in the car with them or innocent bystanders as well as people in the other vehicle. In 2009, The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported the following, “almost 450,000 people were injured and 5,500 died in motor vehicle crashes in which distracted driving was a factor.” There are many things that can distract you while driving, let us examine why we should avoid them and a few of the main distractions while driving. The main causes of distracted driving our talking on the phone, texting while driving, as well as internal and external distractions. Talking on the phone or texting while driving I'll admit can be a great way to pass by time and get things done while driving, but is it safe? According to Virginia Tech Transportation Institutes (VTTI), “laboratory and naturalistic studies showed that talking on a cell phone raises the risk of collision by more than 30%.” Alternatively texting can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous because you take your eyes off the road to look down to text as well as thinking about the conversation. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) has stated the following on the subject, “For example, studies using a naturalistic methodology suggested that relative to...
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...Writing Assignment #3 (Data Analysis/Social media) One widely recognized issue that we face these days is the distraction social networking can be when it comes to education. I mean, if biology class is a total drag you are going to want to find something to entertain yourself with for the time being, right? While I agree that a boring class is not the best thing in the world, the information being taught is much more important than what’s being posted on your Instagram or Twitter feed. According to a post on NBC News’ website regarding research on the connection between the average American teen’s attention span with common distractions such as cell phones, text messaging and social networks, and how it affects grades, approximately 47 percent of American high school or college students have either failed one or more classes due to distractions, furthering my point that too much online social activity can be a harmful distraction. Social network overuse can not only affect your academic life, but also your personal life as well. From my own experience, just about anyone getting too comfortable on social networks can definitely serve as a threat to his or her personal well-being. I’ve witnessed many arguments and disagreements on social media leading to physical altercations between classmates. With so many different mindsets and opinions floating around, it is almost impossible to post something without at least one person disagreeing or feeling personally offended...
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