The ADD Writer – Making Distraction Work for You
I’ve had various mentoring clients tell me that they feel like they have ADD — or that they actually do. This makes it hard for them to focus on sustained business tasks like marketing or writing an article.
When I was around seven, I was diagnosed with “hyperactivity disorder,” which today would probably be called ADHD. The treatment at the time, if you didn’t want to put your kid on medication, was a no-sugar diet, including such tasty products as sugar-free peanut butter and sugar-free toothpaste (yes, toothpaste!). (Strangely, despite the hyperactivity I was gifted in school — I just got in trouble a lot!)
About a year ago, I was diagnosed (re-diagnosed?) with ADD. I have trouble concentrating on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. Writing a whole article is like torture, and I click away from the article after every paragraph or two to do something else.
Believe it or not, I consider my constantly distracted state one of my assets in this business. That’s because whenever I feel distracted, I don’t head for the TV or the fridge or the phone — I do some tiny task that will bring me closer to my business goals. I might search for a new trade magazine and send a letter of introduction. Or I’ll look through old Freelance Success newsletters to see if there are any magazines I’d be interested in writing for. Or, I might follow up on a query or send a query to a new market. Then I’ll get back to my article for a few minutes. I’ve gotten very good at this: I can write an article in an hour or two (depending on length), even with these disruptions.
Not sure what to do when you’re having one of those distracted moments? Check out Allyson Lewis’s 100 Micro-Actions for Work, which is 100 tasks you can do in less than seven minutes.
In addition, I’ve set up processes that help me organize and manage my time and materials. People with ADD are notoriously disorganized, so I think it helps to have systems in place. I use Getting Things Done to keep my “next actions” in order, and I keep alphabetical files in my filing cabinet to stash contracts and clips. Paper charts, e-mail folders, Excel files, and FileMaker Pro databases organize my finances, queries, and clients. Every morning, I write down the top four tasks I need to get done that day, which helps me bring my focus to important tasks instead of getting caught up in a cycle of check-email-surf-the-web all day. And once a week, I go through my physical in-box to take action on or toss the contracts, magazines, letters, and other to-dos that I’ve stacked there.
Finally, I find it helpful to stick to a loose schedule. I’ve been getting up at 7-8 am, doing some yoga, eating breakfast, going to the gym, and taking a shower — then getting to work on my top four tasks. This helps build momentum into my day and makes it easier to focus.
Distracted writers, what are your secrets to focusing and getting through the workday? Please post your experience and advice in the Comments below. [lf]
Linda, Great post! This is just what I need to hear. I’m ultra ADD and sometimes it’s a blessing, sometimes its totally disheartening and maddening. Yoga is the most effective focusing tool I’ve ever found. I also use a timer and lists to accurately gage my time and duties.
You’ve offered some great suggestions, Linda. I’ve never been diagnosed with ADD, but I do sometimes find myself easily (and frustratingly) distracted. One thing that I’ve found helps me focus on things that need doing *right now* is to set a timer and tell myself that I’ve got to work on the project for X minutes, after which I can take a 5- or 10-minute break. Knowing that I have a break coming up helps me focus on the project at hand. I also keep my trusty spiral notebook right beside my computer so I can quickly jot down ideas, things I need to do or things I don’t want to forget without getting too distracted.
Like you, I also list out the things I have to get done each day. I do this at night. I find that writing them on my white board in big letters with some goofy comment like “DO THIS TODAY!!! OR THE FLEAS OF 1000 CAMELS WILL INFEST THE HOUSE” puts a humorous spin on the morning.
I don’t have ADD (that I know of?) but am easily distracted. I keep my to do list right here on a notepad next to my keyboard as a reminder of the fact there is work to be done.
I have to keep to a schedule. If I’m going to write between 4-6 am, then I write–even if it’s total crap and I suffer the entire time…which I usually do…
I try to keep two lists by my computer, a “big list” and a “small list.” The big list has all of my big goals, and the small list has all of the little tasks that need to get done in five minutes or less. When I get itchy to stop writing, I hit the short list. When you don’t want to work, it’s amazing how all of the little annoying tasks seem to become a life preserver.
I took a quiz in a magazine recently, and I think I might be ADD too, but like you, I hope I’m making it work for me! I write down my schedule every day, assigning tasks by the hour. Then I write next to the schedule what I actually get done. One side says “Plan” and the other “Actual.” I don’t get depressed when I don’t accomplish everything because I realize I schedule too much. I just move the tasks over to the next day or, once in a while, find I didn’t really need to do something. I also add in the extra stuff I didn’t plan on doing but had to tackle for one reason or another. I’ve also started, in the same binder, sections for ideas, query tracking and a month-by-month calendar with due dates. I especially like the Idea section; I’m trying to write everything in there instead of on 400 sheets of paper stashed away in desk drawers, my purse or in a compute file. I feel a little more in control now.
I’m with wordwych…I use the timer system followed by a reward of internet time. The internet is my greatest distractor. Now that I think of it, maybe I should completely unplug my router while I’m trying to work so that I can’t access the internet at all!
It sounds like a pick-up line, but here goes, “Where have you been all my life?” Great post! And. . a network with other writers in “comment land.” I’ve developed two little words that help me live with my inner Labrador puppy and hopping magpie, “Reset” and “Recess.” So far, a short walk in the December cold does wonders for both. . .then, I simply begin again.
[...] The Renegade Writer Blog »The ADD Writer – Making Distraction Work for You "Believe it or not, I consider my constantly distracted state one of my assets in this business. That’s because whenever I feel distracted, I don’t head for the TV or the fridge or the phone — I do some tiny task that will bring me closer to my business goals." [...]
Linda, you just described me! I get distracted every few minutes. My focus is scattered all over the place. Thanks for the tips. The ones in the comments are great too.
I wonder what component of ADD can be explained by chronic anxiety (neurosis) and simply never learning as a child to sit still, calm down, and _concentrate_ on something.
In the old days, if a child was jumping around the room, they’d be told not to, and if they didn’t obey, they’d get a slap. Simple, cheap and efective.
Now with both parents working they seem to feel guilty about discipling their children. Factor in junk food, exciting Tv and video games and lack of sleep, and you have recipe for a little devil.