Driven to Distraction at Work

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I was reading the book driven to distraction at work, by Edward M. Hallowell this weekend. As I read the introduction and the first chapter it felt like the author had written this book specifically about and for me. His description of Attention Deficit Trait in the workplace described everything I was going through in work and other initiatives I’m focused on (or at least think I’m focused on). The author lists symptoms of Attention Deficit Trait, then states if you answer yes to one or any of these symptoms and you answer yes to all of them, then chances are you need to read the book.

I’ve listed the symptoms below:

A heightened distractibility and a persistent feeling of being rushed or in a hurry, even when there’s no need to be, combined with a mounting feeling of how superficial your life has become: lots to do, but no depth of thought or feeling.
An inability to sustain lengthy and full attention to a thought, a conversation, an image, a paragraph, a diagram, a sunset-or anything else, even when you try to.
A growing tendency toward impatience, boredom, dissatisfaction, restlessness, irritability, frustration, or frenzy, sometimes approaching panic.
A tendency to hop from task to task, idea to idea, even place to place.
A tendency to make decisions impulsively, rather than reflecting and taking time to think them through.
An increasing tendency to avoid thinking altogether, as if it were a luxury you don’t have time for.
A tendency to put off difficult work or conversations, coupled with a tendency to overfill your day with feckless busywork.
A tendency to feel overwhelmed, even when, in reality, you’re not.
Haunting feelings of guilt about incomplete tasks, coupled with resentment that the tasks were imposed in the first place.
Difficulty in fully enjoying pleasant moments and genuine achievements.
Too often saying to yourself, “I’m working really hard but I’m not getting to where I want to be,” both at work and in relationships.
A feeling of loss of control over your own life and a nagging feeling of “What am I missing?”
A recurring thought that “Someday I will make time for what really matters, but I don’t have time to do that today.”
A growing, compulsive need for frequent electronic “hits,” for example, checking e-mails, speaking on your iPhone, sending or receiving texts, Googling random subjects, visiting favorite websites, or playing games, coupled with almost an addict’s yen for them when they are unavailable.
A tendency to overcommit, make yourself too available, allow too many interruptions, and say yes too quickly.

I have also documented the introduction and first chapter in my booknotes mind map format. Can download the image below or the pdf file at the end.