Technology really fills a large part of our lives. And it's distracting.
This really hit home the other day when I realized that every time I open a new tab in Google Chrome, instead of getting a blank page, I get a list of apps, mostly games. And I was tempted. "Just one game," I thought to myself, "and then I'll get my work done."
But we all know that's never what happens. One game turns to two, then the best of three, then before you know it supper is an hour late and your kids are trashing the living room.* It's the same with Twitter, useful though it may be. It's the same with news feeds. It's the same with anything electronic. And it won't stop. Unless you make it.
Ian McEwan made a comment in this interview about writers needing quiet space which won't be interrupted in order to think and to write. I agree with him.
So, tempting as they may be,** I've made a commitment to ignoring those game apps that pop up on my screen whenever I open a new tab. I've made a commitment to spending my writing time doing actual writing. I've made a commitment to switching off.
How about you? What's distracting you these days? What are you going to do about it?
ALSO: I've noticed that I've gotten away from craft posts, so I'll be getting back to doing some of those starting next week. YAY!
*Come on, I know I'm not the only one. Am I?
**Dang, those Angry Birds are fun.
I don't get distracted by games. I have no time. But I do tend to read and comment on blogs more than write. I'm just getting back to writing more. I hope I keep it up so I produce something.
ReplyDeleteTwitter. I don't play games or watch tv, but Twitter is endlessly distracting to me. Too many smart, entertaining people there, and every few seconds, someone has something witty or interesting to say. I end up just having to turn it off or I can't stay away.
ReplyDeleteI love crafts. Can't wait for more of those posts. Everything distracts me. Right now my kids are on Spring Break. They are so much fun and very distracting.
ReplyDeleteUm... Twitter and blogging.... Um... Can't live without for five minutes... :D Once in a while I HAVE to turn them off!
ReplyDeleteI totally avoid the games. FB and blogging are distracting enough. I need to be better about avoiding "refresh" every 10 minutes! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm focused about my distractions...I'll do something for ten minutes, but only ten minutes...I set limits.
ReplyDeleteSounds good, Ishta. Ian McEwan is one of my favourite authors, he's brilliant! Still, I write with a lot of distractions most of the time. However, when I'm feeling bogged down with it all, yes, definitely need that closed door and silence.
ReplyDeleteIn "On Writing," Stephen King describes it as "writing with the door closed." No phone, TV, Internet, conversations with other people, nothing but the writing. So hard to do! But so important when seeing a project through to the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow!! Looking forward to reading more from you :))