Communication Tip #1: Remove Distractions
Simple, but rarely practiced.
I think this has something to do with the increase of information, the growth of technology and YouTube.
I don’t have any scientific data, but it always looks scholarly to blame YouTube.
On a random note, I read that the average American watches 92 YouTube videos a month. I think I watch (in a good month) 120+.
Have you ever talked to anyone that kept checking their texts and tweets while you were talking?
I have.
And the only thing worse is when the person communicating is distracted.
Distractions are contagious and if the person communicating is distracted, then the audience will become distracted faster than a hungry man can eat a Christmas ham.
It sends the message that, “what I am saying is not even important enough for me to pay attention to myself”.
It’s almost like, when someone does that, I feel like they are giving me permission to ignore them.
This tip works in all different settings, from personal communication to corporate communication.
Why? Because, when it comes down to it, communication is not just about theories and principles-but about people.
What easily distracts you will communicating? How do you remove distractions?
I do have this problem. After the accident, I had a meeting with Wayne’s doctors. They asked me a question and I did my best to answer them. But at one point I stopped and couldn’t remember what they had asked. I was diagnosed with short term memory problems. I try very hard to stay focused but . . .
I have to be careful of “bunny trails” If speaking to a group I have to read word for word for the most part. But when just having a conversation I try to keep my part of the conversation small. However . . . sometimes those bunny trails are too tempting! LOL
I appreciate your honesty and transparency.
I think it is very healthy that you know your limitations and especially how to work through them.
What are some things you do to counteract the short term memory problems while striving for productivity?
I think that I have learned to focus fully (most of the time!) when communicating with someone. This came from experience (age can make you wiser) and also from the frustration I feel when I am talking to someone and they are not listening (maybe they are watching tv, texting, etc.) and after pouring my heart out, thinking they are actually listening, I ask, “what do you think?” and the answer is “What? I wasn’t really listening”!!
Yeah, you got to hate it when that happens!
“I don’t have any scientific data, but it always looks scholarly to blame YouTube.”
LOL. Awesome.
I think that people have been having attention problems since the invention of the television. I remember hearing a story of a manager at work trying hard to get people t focus in his meetings. One night he was walking in his neighborhood and noticed all the lights on the windows coming from people’s television sets. As he watched the lights he noticed how quickly the lights on the windows changed because of the commercials. Naturally, he put two and two together and thought that TV was making people have concentration problems. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I thought it was an interesting story to share.
I think getting away from things like TV and internet help with concentration. I would say that it’s good for a person to get in the habit of reading books. With most books there is a streaming thought that keeps going instead of choppy thoughts that youtube and television give off. Having just gotten married, lately I’ve had to get away from too much internet/tv use.
Oh, and your blog is awesome, btw.
“I don’t have any scientific data, but it always looks scholarly to blame YouTube.”
-> That is so true!
I agree with you about spending time reading.
I once heard Zig Ziglar say that he reads for three hours a day and hardly watches movies or television!
This is hard for me, because television and movies are a source of relaxation. They help me “wind down”.
I agree:
“…when someone does that, I feel like they are giving me permission to ignore them.”
You should ignore them- serves ‘em right.
No, just kidding. I do know what you mean. I have to try and remember that they aren’t being rude on purpose (hopefully). And the next time I feel tempted to text/call/interrupt a conversation I try to remember how it made me feel.
Haha!
Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes (or flip-flops) is always a good thing to do because it allows for understanding.
I get distracted by electronics mostly. Iam unfortunately, the one checking my blackberry during meetings. Not all the time but sometimes and it’s annoying to me too. I can’t always be IN THE MOMENT. It almost nevr has to do with my interest in the person or topic rather more to do with my lack of self control. I have to completely remove the distration or else I find myself taking a peek every once in a while. Usually burying the phone in my pocket or bag does the trick.