We saw an article about distractions and success by The Wall Street Journal. A new study shows that students with attention-deficit disorder achieve more.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Memphis and the University of Michigan. Students with ADD were more likely to have won a prize at an art show or a science fair.
They were higher achievers across the board.
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Could it be that lack of focus is a competitive advantage?
Yes, according to another study by researchers at the University of Toronto and Harvard University. They gave students a short test and measured their ability to filter out background noise – like a nearby conversation or an air conditioning running.
The students who struggled to ignore the noise were more likely to be “eminent creative achievers” based on their previous performances.
Daydreamers are more creative
The article also cites research that shows a link between daydreaming and creativity. So instead of getting your head out of the clouds, maybe you should get your head into them!
Entrepreneurs ride an emotional roller coaster. And the highs are higher and the lows are lower. It’s part of the game. Daydreaming may help.
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When I’m feeling low or I’m feeling a great deal of stress – which often come in one crushing package – I take time to daydream. Sometimes I do it at my computer, but most of the time I rely on the basic tools of pen and paper. As I do a mind dump, I can feel the energy coming back to me. I get that spark of creativity. I begin seeing solutions. It really helps.
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Embrace distractions
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I don’t know if it’s my background as a radio DJ – talk about a business with a lot of things going on all at once – I can’t work without background noise. Quiet is a distraction to me!
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BIGG success is life on your own terms. If distractions help you, by all means, get distracted!
Other people are always telling us to focus. Our parents did it. Our teachers did too. Bosses expect it as well.
But sometimes, less structure may lead to better results. Do what works for you.
When you’re trying to think creatively, bring out the distractions! It leads to BIGG success!
Do you work better with distractions?
Thanks so much for spending some time with us today. Until next time, here’s to your BIGG success!
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Image in this post from Colton Witt Photography
Have you ever met someone who really seemed to have it all?
Sounds like a steak sauce, George! I like the old-fashioned pen and paper. For me, it works better to write out everything on a legal pad. Then every day, I pull off the most important things I have to do from that paper and put it on a sticky note. I have everything on my main list but I put the most important things front and center. Another thing that I really like about this is getting to crumble up those sticky notes when I’ve finished these important tasks.
