Poll: How often do you get distracted while working? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you get distracted while working?".
View the poll results »
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Julian Holmes 
Japan
Local time: 11:15
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| 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.
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 04:15
Spanish to English
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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...
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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!
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Sheila Wilson
Spain
Local time: 03:15
Member (2007)
English
+ ...
| 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.
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| 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. ▲ Collapse
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Kristina Cosumano (X)
Germany
Local time: 04:15
German to English
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.
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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]
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 22:15
English to Spanish
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| 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.
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 22:15
English to Spanish
+ ...
| 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. ▲ Collapse
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 23:15
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| 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.
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Ilan Rubin (X)
Russian Federation
Local time: 05:15
Russian to English
| You beat me to it | Dec 20, 2015 |
Mario Freitas wrote:
Wife and kids...
Exactly
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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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