Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive

Abstract

Are you driven to distraction at work? Bestselling author Edward M. Hallowell, MD, the world\u27s leading expert on ADD and ADHD, has set his sights on a new goal: helping people feel more in control and productive at work. You know the feeling: You can\u27t focus; you feel increasingly overwhelmed by a mix of nonstop demands and technology that seems to be moving at the speed of light; and you\u27re frustrated just trying to get everything done well?and on time. Not only is this taking a toll on performance, it\u27s impacting your sense of well-being outside the office. It\u27s time to reclaim control. Dr. Hallowell now identifies the underlying reasons why people lose their ability to focus at work. He explains why commonly offered solutions like "learn to manage your time better" or "make a to-do list" don\u27t work because they ignore the deeper issues that are the true causes of mental distraction. Based on his years of helping clients develop constructive ways to deal with distraction, Dr. Hallowell provides a set of practical and reliable techniques to show how to sustain a productive mental state. In Part 1 of the book, he identifies the six most common ways people lose the ability to focus at work?what he calls "screen sucking" (Internet/social media addiction), multitasking, idea hopping (never finishing what you start), worrying, playing the hero, and dropping the ball?and he explains the underlying psychological and emotional dynamics driving each behavior. Part two of the book provides advice for "training" your attention overall so that you are less susceptible to surrendering it in any situation. The result is a book that will empower you to combat each one of these common syndromes?and clear a path for you to achieve your highest personal and professional goals