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  • Stress blog

  • Dec. 14, 2011

    To decrease stress, increase focus

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

4 comments posted

On a recent Sunday morning I set out to do some important educational activities that I needed to complete for an upcoming medical school class. I'd budgeted time for this activity, but I became distracted because I couldn't find my cell phone. I spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for it.

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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
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  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Where was it? Three feet from my computer under a piece of paper. Funny, but not so funny, right? Most of us spend half of our lives trying to find things within two feet of where we left them.

I thought back to the biography I recently read about a prominent business man who was an agent of change in the world of technology. His accomplishments reflected two fundamental concepts:

  • Focus on the task at hand
  • Eliminate distractions

So my suggestion for all of us is that we try to focus on the one task that we most need to accomplish today and tune out the distractions. Let me know how it works for you.

4 comments posted

blog index
  • December 22, 2011 1:52 p.m.

    after reading your article -- i submit my comment -- i plead guilty.

    - edward

  • December 22, 2011 6:36 a.m.

    When the time crunch occurs, I make lists to help. The list is posted on my refrigerator. I go from one item to another on the list, then cross it off when it's done. So for Christmas week, that is how I've been operating. I feel uplifted, because I've accomplished what needs to be done and also what's enjoyable.

    - Christine

  • December 21, 2011 10:24 a.m.

    I am a working mother. It may be crucial to focus on one task at hand, but I often joggle five to ten tasks at a time, especially during the holiday seasons. Time is the enermy. Yes, my husband is helpful at times, but half of the time, he is the distraction. Any sugguestions for the working moms?

    - Catt

  • December 14, 2011 2:42 p.m.

    I will share this w/ my fibromyalgia support group, as "fibro fog" is a big issue. Narrowing attention to the task at hand & screening out distrations is a great reminder to stay focused.

    - pat

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