I’m easily distracted.
Squirrel
Where was I? Yes, I’m easily distracted.
Not so much that I am unable to pay attention (even though I do have that problem) but that I can’t choose to do just one thing at a time.
Take books for one. I have about two hundred books. I love them. But I’ve read only a fraction. Mostly, I can’t seem to stick with one. I’m reading about four at the same time. I have another book that I’ve been reading for about 5 years ― coincidently about procrastination.
This happens to me as well about learning. Right now I’m learning Python, Artificial Intelligence, DevOps, Blockchain, Managing a team, continuous improvement (LEAN) and how to run a business. You can guess how it’s going so far.
How I try to do it, because I want to learn them all, is to spend a little time on each. Yes, it would take longer, but I would still make progress.
I do realise that if I focus on just one I can learn that one faster. But then I have to prioritise one and prioritisation is not my strongest skill.
The FOMO is great in me ― the Fear of Missing Out.
But I have to learn to focus. I have to know just not what to do, but also what not to do.
People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things. ― Steve Jobs
I will continue to try to focus. Perhaps I should get a book, or add that to my learning list.