Poll: How often do you get distracted while working?
Autor de la hebra: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
PERSONAL DEL SITIO
Dec 20, 2015

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you get distracted while working?".

View the poll results »



 
Julian Holmes
Julian Holmes  Identity Verified
Japón
Local time: 07:50
Miembro 2011
japonés al inglés
Every day at around 5:20 pm Dec 20, 2015

Japan local time when today's Quick Poll is posted

Otherwise, it depends on how motivated I am and the deadline in front of me.


 
neilmac
neilmac
España
Local time: 00:50
español al inglés
+ ...
Other Dec 20, 2015

It depends. Unexpected visitors can be a distraction, although most of my friends and acquaintances know that I prefer not to be disturbed when working.
Browsing the Internet can be a distraction too, for example answering polls like this, although today I don't have any important translation-related work to do...


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 23:50
Miembro 2007
inglés al portugués
+ ...
Rarely Dec 20, 2015

while working! I am always focused on work. I am starting my working day right now: I have to deliver a longish translation tomorrow. Bye bye for now!

 
Sheila Wilson
Sheila Wilson  Identity Verified
España
Local time: 23:50
Miembro 2007
inglés
+ ...
If I'm concentrating, I'm concentrating Dec 20, 2015

The window's just in front of my right eye but when I'm concentrating I couldn't say if it's raining or sunny. I often miss meal-times and forget to go to the loo. I also forget to check my emails. My powers of concentration were first remarked on when I joined a motor-racing school and since then they've proven to be both a blessing and a real nuisance.

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
Estados Unidos
Local time: 15:50
Miembro 2003
español al inglés
+ ...
Very often during the day Dec 20, 2015

I leave my e-mail alert on, to be sure I don't miss a communication from a client. Then up comes a KudoZ question and I can't resist. Also, I live in a closely knit community and quite few people are retired. They have no problem calling me or dropping by, even though they know I work at home. It always starts something like: "I'll only take a minute of your time, but did you hear that the Board voted to ....?"

These interruptions have pushed my schedule into the evening and the wee
... See more
I leave my e-mail alert on, to be sure I don't miss a communication from a client. Then up comes a KudoZ question and I can't resist. Also, I live in a closely knit community and quite few people are retired. They have no problem calling me or dropping by, even though they know I work at home. It always starts something like: "I'll only take a minute of your time, but did you hear that the Board voted to ....?"

These interruptions have pushed my schedule into the evening and the wee small hours. Even though my brain isn't as quick, I get a lot more accomplished after dinner time.
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Kristina Cosumano (X)
Kristina Cosumano (X)  Identity Verified
Alemania
Local time: 00:50
alemán al inglés
Other Dec 20, 2015

It depends on the translation, but I find that many things CAN distract me, and so I take steps to shut them down before they have the chance; this means shutting off alerts, closing the door, turning the music off if necessary.

 
Yetta Jensen Bogarde
Yetta Jensen Bogarde  Identity Verified
Dinamarca
Local time: 00:50
Miembro 2012
inglés al danés
+ ...
Rarely, Dec 20, 2015

The worst interruptions are sales agents trying to sell me things e.g. new subscriptions on the phone.

[Edited at 2015-12-20 20:05 GMT]


 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:50
inglés al español
+ ...
You read my mind! Dec 20, 2015

Julian Holmes wrote:

Japan local time when today's Quick Poll is posted

Otherwise, it depends on how motivated I am and the deadline in front of me.


Julian, you beat me to it. I was going to say: As often as I read the Proz quick polls.

Well done, sir.


 
Mario Chavez (X)
Mario Chavez (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:50
inglés al español
+ ...
Distractions are par for the course Dec 20, 2015

I remember talking to a friend's boyfriend years ago. Very capable and handsome fellow (or bloke, whichever you guys prefer). We were talking about work in an easygoing conversation and the topic of coffee breaks came up:

He said: Well, we get two 15-minute breaks a day.
Me: Really? Mm.

Over the years, I would feel kind of guilty if I were too distracted while doing something, like studying for a paper, preparing for an exam, reading a book or writin
... See more
I remember talking to a friend's boyfriend years ago. Very capable and handsome fellow (or bloke, whichever you guys prefer). We were talking about work in an easygoing conversation and the topic of coffee breaks came up:

He said: Well, we get two 15-minute breaks a day.
Me: Really? Mm.

Over the years, I would feel kind of guilty if I were too distracted while doing something, like studying for a paper, preparing for an exam, reading a book or writing a translation, let alone correcting one! Old age (after I turned 40) and experience taught me that distractions are not just normal. They are essential to a well-functioning brain!

You're probably familiar with writer's block. A case could be made about translator's block. Sometimes we get stuck, can't seem to find the right expression or wording, and we don't like what we wrote. So we need a distraction, a different activity, to let the brain do its job.
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Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brasil
Local time: 19:50
Miembro 2014
inglés al portugués
+ ...
Wife and kids... Dec 20, 2015

Very often was my answer. That's why I chose to work late at night, where the answer changes to very rarely.

 
Ilan Rubin (X)
Ilan Rubin (X)  Identity Verified
Federación Rusa
Local time: 01:50
ruso al inglés
You beat me to it Dec 20, 2015

Mario Freitas wrote:

Wife and kids...


Exactly


 
Rocio Barrientos
Rocio Barrientos  Identity Verified
Bolivia
Local time: 18:50
Miembro
inglés al español
+ ...
Yes! Dec 20, 2015

Mario Freitas wrote:

Very often was my answer. That's why I chose to work late at night, where the answer changes to very rarely.


Totally agree, I am a night owl to avoid distractions...

I do work during the day as well - however, I have to face a higher level of distractions.

Happy Holidays everyone!


 


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Poll: How often do you get distracted while working?






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