Mind Control and Distraction: Mind Control Techniques for a Lifetime

Chapter 20 Distraction Techniques for Drawing Circles with the Left Hand and Squares with the Right Hand (2)
When visiting art galleries (hey! notice how I jump from one topic to a new one? That’s the hallmark of a distractor) I rarely stare at a work for very long, like someone else at a flea market , looking around, thinking that this is not bad, and that is also quite interesting.But sometimes I can stare at a work for a long time.A distracted person isn't inattentive, it's just that they don't pay attention to everything -- including things they don't like.If they come across something that interests them, they will focus like hounds.I hate waiting in line to do something.When I had to wait, I had to force myself to wait in line.When I have to wait, I often do things that I regret later.There needs to be a buffer between action and impulse, and I just don't have one.Like many distracted people, I lack the skills to be a human being.I often say things that I haven't thought through.We distractors are like Pinocchio in the novel, we must say what we have, we can't lie, or we will worry about growing a long nose.When I was in elementary school, one day in class, I suddenly noticed that the math teacher's hair was a little different from ordinary people, so I blurted out: "Teacher, are you wearing a wig?" As a result, I was kicked out of the classroom.

Since then, I have had to develop the habit of refraining from speaking, and despite this, often say the wrong thing.Distracted people need to spend more time than ordinary people, such as keeping quiet and being patient, which is beyond the average person's imagination.

It is not difficult to imagine that if you often change the subject, say the wrong thing, tickle, and yawn when you are talking to your friends, then the original close friendship may slowly become problematic.My wife is used to my mind-wandering, and she joked, "You are very absorbed in your mind-wandering state." Thinking about how lucky I am to marry her.When I first met her, she thought I was out of my mind because I always ran away, lost my mind or mistyped for no reason.It's not easy for her to endure until today.Many distracted people enjoy highly stimulating activities.

However, creative, intuitive, energetic, humorous, and productive people also often have distraction issues.You can be a surgeon and get a boost in surgery, or be a defense attorney, actor, pilot, stock operator, news worker, salesman or race car driver.

When people mention distraction, they usually don't mention its advantages.Everyone only pays attention to the shortcomings and how to change them. After all, this is the original intention of patients to seek diagnosis and treatment.Once the diagnosis is established, the patient learns how to deal with the problem, and after that, the brain kicks in.

Suddenly, the field of vision outside the car window became clear, the signal received by the radio became clear, and the storm passed.You can begin to execute the great plans that have been on your mind for years.This former problem child or problem adult suddenly surprised everyone, and at the same time they themselves were very surprised.

Distracted people often have a special "feeling" about life, they can find the core of the problem with one arrow, and they don't need to analyze and think carefully like others to understand it.He can't tell you how he came up with the solution, and he can't tell you where he got the idea, but he just knows it, he just feels it.

Distractors can see what others can't see.Even if they can't see it, they can feel it, so they can get the answer inexplicably. This "sixth sense" needs to be valued and encouraged.Such people would never be able to develop intuition into a valuable ability if the environment always insisted on rational linear thinking.

What is the treatment?Treatment is to reduce the noise and strengthen the signal.The diagnosis itself is enough to reduce the cacophony of self-blame and low self-esteem.In addition, using some kind of structure, such as lists, schedules, getting enough sleep, eating a good diet, and exercising, can improve focus.Short-term planning is more effective than long-term planning, because short-term planning can break the work into many small stages, which can be very helpful for distracted people.

The details of treatment for distraction vary from person to person.For example, asking someone who is distracted to be your secretary or accountant, establishing a file classification method that suits you, and choosing a good computer program... can make things more orderly.

For adults, the two most important ways to "better" are finding the right partner and finding the right job.For children, the most important way to improve is to reduce ridicule, ridicule and scolding at school and at home, and to encourage them to dream big.

There are many other ways, such as: setting limits on risky behavior, always wearing a seat belt when driving, paying attention to the speed limit, using a notepad, asking for help, and getting a coach to remind you at all times.

Medicines can help too, but they won't solve everything.

A complete treatment plan should include different strategies that can help patients of all ages find a new life in the long run.

We need the understanding and support of others, more than the average person, because we have more difficulties and our behavior is more unbearable than the average person.We can mess up wherever we go, but with the right help, we can shine.

If you know someone like me who is always causing trouble, daydreaming, and forgetting things, then he is probably a distractor.Don't make him wait until he begins to believe what others say against him, it will be too late.

Distracted people can be successful and happy

If you want to know how to get along with distracted people, look at how successful distracted people achieve and be happy.

The following two examples can help us find the good qualities of distracted people.

Forster is a TV anchor who covers sports news, as well as his city's most popular and high-profile sports reporter -- and he's also ADHD.He has worked in this competitive position for more than 20 years and has achieved excellent results.He can't focus for a long time, his strength is creativity.He speaks impromptu rather than from a script, and he finds it easier to improvise.His impromptu speeches are what made him famous locally.Not only that, Foster is also good at making friends, and making friends has also helped him to stand firm in the workplace.He likes to help others, but he never boasts of his kindness.He has a great sense of humor, and he did not hesitate to play a clown in front of the TV broadcast to amuse the children at the children's hospital fundraiser.Although these experiences are not recorded on his resume or performance list, they can make him live a successful and happy life.Because of these qualities, he can always get first-hand news, and everyone who has something to expose will be the first to call him instead of looking for others.

Foster has two children from his first marriage and an eight-year-old from his second.His wife is pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology.One of the most important aspects of Foster's work is learning to take his job lightly. "The trick is to have as much fun as you can every day at work. Treat work as a hobby and fun, and you'll feel a lot happier."
When he was a student, Forster did not perform very well in school, and everyone didn't think he would make a big difference when he grew up.He got into the media industry out of interest and hobby.He started out working at a small radio station, but his talent quickly made him the station's top male number.He said: "Distraction is my most valuable asset. Without distraction, I can't achieve so much. When I was in school, distraction got me into trouble. I like impromptu speeches. I think differently. Start the broadcast I can change my mind in the first three seconds, and I like to drop my lines. That's me, I'm so natural and relaxed in front of the camera. So I think distraction is not a bad thing, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages."
Foster learned he had ADHD long after he had been working.He has come up with many ways to deal with the troubles that distraction has caused him.He goes with his own ideas and is not overwhelmed by negative influences.His ideas come quickly, so he always finds an outlet.He tried not to let the shortcomings play out, but let the advantages continue to emerge.Regarding the diagnosis of this condition, he said: "Just knowing the name of my problem is enough. It makes me no longer feel weird, feel bad, etc. It makes me realize that I am actually different. It’s a good thing. Knowing that there are many people like me in the world makes me feel better. Since my diagnosis, I’ve been more focused on putting my talents to good use. The diagnosis and treatment of this disease have been very important to me. Great help."
Mr. David, the president of an American airline, is another ADHD patient I know.When I made an appointment with him for the first time, I arrived at their company at nine o'clock, and he didn't come until noon.I know a lot about distracted people who don't mind being late.During the three hours I waited for him, I kept talking to his subordinates.They all love their current company.This is one of the great qualities of a distracted person—charismatic.When I met David, he kept apologizing to me about not being able to find his laptop, being on the phone for too long and forgetting the time, not remembering the office for appointments, losing his phone, etc. - these are all distractions typical characteristics of the person.

We talked for a long time.He is the father of nine children and a devout Mormon.

He mentioned that several of his children have also been diagnosed with ADD and are on medication.David himself does not take drugs, he is worried that drugs will reduce his creativity (it does not), but his wife wants him to take drugs. "My kids don't do well in school and have learning disabilities. They're very bright and very creative, but they still have trouble. If you're always doing poorly in exams, you feel like you're Stupid. So I try to protect them from what I have been through. When I was a kid, I thought I was the dumbest person in the world because of my poor grades. When my daughter was going to college, she took drugs before the exam, She cried when she came home from the test and said she had never been able to focus that long before. My other daughter who is a freshman in high school is doing well academically, although she lacks organizational skills, she is very talented in the arts and sports. Brilliant." David, who had severe learning difficulties, said, "I couldn't read from script, and I was terrified of reading in public. In church and church, my worst fear was being called to read the Bible. But when I spoke I never prepare a speech in advance. Once, when I went to Congress as a witness, I prepared a speech in advance. It made me sweat and I had to talk to They said I would feel like a fool if I had to read it from a script. So they asked me to speak it in my own words, and I did it really well."
I think David is dyslexic.When talking about concentration, he said: "I have never been able to continue to concentrate on doing things. When I was in school, I felt stupid. When I was in elementary school, the teacher told my parents that if I had a secretary to help I wrote letters, I read them, and I had no problems. That went on through high school."
"In high school I took courses that weren't too hard, so my grades were passable. I was just dawdling. I felt bad from the bottom of my heart. Later when I went to preach in South America (young Mormons have to do missionary service), I learned the local language and converted many people. I thought I was amazing, I've never been more confident." "After I came back from missions, I was a completely different person, but I still had to go to Going to college. I hate college from the bottom of my heart because procrastination always haunts me, I hate reading, I don't know what statistics are going to do for my future development in life. I always stay up until before the exam to study for the final exam. I don't like electives, and I skip classes whenever I get the chance. Before I finished college, I opened a travel company that rents out vacation homes, and the business is doing well. Then I thought, if I sell the air tickets and the vacation homes together, I will It was easier to make money. So we started it in the second year, earning 600 million US dollars and employing more than 20 people. At this time, the airline company I cooperated with went bankrupt, and my money was lost in an instant. Then I was only 22 years old, and then I had to work for someone else. I helped start Morris Air, and after nine years, we sold the company for $1.3 million."
David attributes his success to his ability to focus on the important and ignore the unimportant, so that he can handle the key things well.David thinks ADHD helped him at this point.

After selling Morris Air, David went to Southwest Airlines.There he got along very well with his boss, but other colleagues in the company were very dissatisfied with him.When he first started working at Southwest Airlines, passengers couldn't call and pay by credit card to book a ticket.So he brought the ticketless travel business he invented at Morris to Southwest.His e-ticket business has saved the company tens of millions of dollars. "Then there were six people competing for the position of president, and several others went to the boss to speak ill of me. The boss couldn't bear the pressure, handed me to the office, and asked me to resign. I was very sad, but I didn't say anything. They gave me a lot of money, and I donated it to the employee emergency relief fund without reservation. I was very angry and felt betrayed." "At that time, everyone thought I resigned by myself. The boss and everyone Personally say this, but the truth is I was kicked out. It was the saddest time of my life. After leaving Southwest, I was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. I read a book, It's called "Distraction Is Not My Fault", and I thought it was me. I finally knew the reason why I failed at Southwest Airlines. For example, in a meeting, I spoke as I wanted, maybe when the boss was talking, I would Just throwing in something unrelated, something that just popped into my head. I can't keep myself from talking nonsense."
"Do you think it's good to be distracted?" I asked. "What do you think is more important and allows you to super focus on it?"
"I think distraction is good. At least distraction allows me to be super focused and creative. I would think of ideas like ticketless travel, TVs and flight maps on planes. At the beginning of saying these ideas, others You'd think I was crazy, and it turns out I was right."
"So what advice would you give to a distracted person like yourself?"
"What I want to tell them is, follow your passion. Colleagues understand their limitations and hire people who are more capable to work for you. Don't work with people who follow orders, work with people who dare to argue and dare to disobey. work together." "So what do you think distraction is causing you? Do you still have to struggle and struggle with it?" "Ah, ha, a lot of things are a struggle. Like the mess in my car It's a mess, I've had weeks of dirty laundry next to my bed, my dirty socks are all over the floor and my wife won't clean them up for me."
"Sometimes, sitting in front of the computer after ten o'clock in the evening, doing this and that for a while, and in the blink of an eye, it's past one o'clock in the morning, and I still feel that I haven't done anything at all. I can't stand having nothing to do. I lie on the bed and give Bedtime stories for my kids are a pain in the ass. I wish they weren't so painful." David had a tree that had grown crooked at his house and was weighing down on the roof and needed to be sawed off.Every morning when he shaves, he sees the tree outside his window, and he reminds himself to remember to call the gardening company.But every night when he was brushing his teeth, when he saw the tree outside the window again, he remembered that he forgot to call today.This thing has been going on for two years.

"I always procrastinate, I always think, tomorrow I will do it, no, I have to do it tonight, no, let's do it tomorrow, I can do it in the morning. In the end, I have to ask someone to do it for me thing."
"Sometimes I get a cover letter, which is very long and three pages. I usually read a few lines and can't read it anymore. I think I will read it later. As a result, I forget it after waiting. I just can't read it properly. Believe me, it’s really sad." "There is another thing that drives me crazy, I can't enjoy the joy of success. On the day the company went public, I made $1.5 million in one day, but I still can't be happy, I It would feel like a bigger burden on me. Someone else might buy a new car to celebrate, but I still drive my crappy car."
Foster and David, like many other distractions, have their strengths and weaknesses.They've all succeeded, but they've all struggled with themselves.By analyzing successful distracted people like Forster and David, I have sorted out 7 characteristics of distracted people.Here are 7 ways to help distracted people be more productive:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Adults with ADD:
1.Do what you are good at.Don't spend too much time trying to improve something you're not good at.

2.Try to delegate the things you are not good at to others.

3.Channel the energy into creative outlets.

4.Maintain sufficient organizational order to achieve the goals, with emphasis on "enough".You don't need to be very organized, just enough.

5.Ask someone you trust for advice and listen to them, while trying to ignore those who discourage you or blame you.

6.Be sure to keep in touch with a few good friends.

7.Follow your own strengths.Although you have flaws, use your strengths to make decisions in life.

see if you are a distracted person
(End of this chapter)