“One way to boost our willpower and focus is to manage our distractions and not let them manage us.”—Daniel Goleman
THE UPSIDE OF CUBICLES
Have you ever wondered why the typical layout of office buildings is rows and rows of identical cubicles, each person confined to their own tiny space? These cubicles create an oppressive atmosphere where creativity comes to die, and it’s designed this way intentionally. The objective is to keep people focused on their mundane tasks. Employees have time constraints, tight schedules, deadlines, and productivity goals. There’s no time to chat with your co-worker or get distracted by the antics of those around you. Distractions in the workplace cost the company time and money.
On the other hand, employees use conference rooms and open-plan spaces to collaborate and brainstorm. These workspaces are where creativity thrives. That’s why the eerie feeling of working in a lifeless office is most creator’s biggest nightmare. Even though life-less spaces kill creativity, something surprisingly useful about them can enhance our creativity: the ability to focus intensely.
When we embark on our creative quests, our minds flow with ideas. I use the word “flow” because there are no gaps in the process. We are in a state of continuous, connected thought happening from moment to moment. Creativity flows when we are fully immersed in our work, present in each moment, and mindful of what we create. Even a tiny distraction can break this flow and cause us to lose focus. You can enhance your creativity and produce your best work by learning to focus intensely.
CHOOSE DISTRACTIONS WISELY
Like most things in life, distractions can be both good and bad. While they can disrupt our focus and productivity, they can also stimulate creativity. A Harvard paper titled “Unexpected Distractions: Stimulation or Disruption to Creativity?” discusses the effects of unexpected distractions on creativity, citing that distractions can induce creativity in some settings. The paper explains how the creative process involves two cognitive sub-processes, divergent and convergent thinking. Divergent thinking happens when you generate new ideas. Convergent thinking occurs when it’s time to decide which ideas to use.
During the idea generation phase, distractions can trigger new ways of thinking about your problems. Divergent thinking can benefit from these distractions. However, as cognitive overload brews, divergent thinking can diminish, and the creative flow can become blocked.
On the other hand, convergent thinking requires peak focus. During this cognitive phase, every distraction is disruptive.
By understanding how distractions affect these two types of thinking, you can learn to manage your focus and balance productivity and creativity. You will make the most of your creative sessions when you find the right balance of mental freedom and immersion.
HOW TO NOT SUCK AT WRITING YOUR FIRST BOOK
Before I started writing this book, I decided to skim through a few books on being an author. One of the books was How To Not SUCK At Writing Your First Book by Chandler Bolt. I’m embarrassed to admit that my insecurity about writing my first book attracted me to that title. While skimming this book, there was a gem that helped me on my writing journey that I’d love to share with you:
“Sometimes when you start writing you become overwhelmed by all the thoughts going through your head. As you write down one idea, another one will pop into your head that has nothing to do with what you are talking about…
When that seemingly random idea appears, run with it. Don’t put it on the back-burner out of fear it will steer you off course. Finish the thought that popped into your head and place it in the section of your book that it fits with the best.
Then I want you to get back on track and start writing what needs to be written. You have to go with the feeling you get when you write.”