I’ve always been a bit distractible. It was an issue for my family, in school, and socially. In high school, my girlfriend broke up with me because I was distracted by a blonde in a blousy ensemble. And teachers eventually wouldn’t let me sit by a window – traffic, infinitely more interesting than a quadratic equation!
Out!!!
I regarded my adventures in distraction as a bit visionary, but authority figures at the George Washington High School regarded them as rebellious. They resolved the conflict of opinion by expelling me. I grabbed my guitar and took the subway line to Greenwich Village.
In the Village were coffeehouses where young aspiring folksingers, like myself, learned our trade. The audience rewarded us with applause and put money into a basket that was passed around. Being rewarded for being distractible with greenback dollars! I liked it.
Useful
Maybe that’s why I began to associate my distractibility with creativity. At one point, I had a patient girlfriend ( who remained a lifelong friend!!) who would prod me and gently remind me that I had drifted off. In my mind, perhaps, I had been working on a resolution for a chord progression. Eventually, it progressed to thinking about carving, writing, and other things. Over the long run, I’ve made this tendency to drift off into an advantage. Some good ideas and projects have originated with my drifting off.
Do I say no to it? Yes. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that I need to put limits on it for the sake of getting other needed, and often creative things, done. If I over control, though I grow resentful, and rebel against myself.
Ahhh. Self-rebellion. I’m still young at heart.
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I think we have to be dreamers before we can be creators…
I’ve never had any problem concentrating on what I thought was worth my attention. I don’t know how others saw that, but…
You were lucky.
I can relate to much of what you said regarding distractibility, and yes, it’s important to keep a healthy balance for creativity and sanity’s sake… hugs
It is terrible to get distracted in the middle of talking to someone. Listening is not my forte. I understand that it takes practice.
Around here, we call it the squirrel syndrome. “oh look, a squirrel” forgetting what we were intent on doing. My son inherited it from me, I have no idea who I got it from. I think that’s why there are 4 quilts waiting on the 2 sewing machines. Sigh.. I agree, it’s tied to creativity. Our minds are always wandering away unattended and ideas just pour out unfiltered. You have my sympathy.
The squirrel syndrome. I like that!