5 Ways to Clear The Garbage From Your Head
I am stuck at home, it is raining, and for some reason I just can’t get the stupid Oompa Loompa song out of my head. I sat down just a few minutes ago to write about what motivates school children, and here I am obsessing about nonsense.
I am thinking about my wife, who is currently taking over Japan (not really; it is part of a game – Sid Meier’s Civilization). I am thinking about how I find “Motivated As Hell” to be a funny title for a book. I am even thinking about not thinking about doing work.
I know, deep down in my core, that if I see a picture of @mikestenger’s pink hat, I will stop working again and start laughing instead. Twitter is showing that I have three @icebluebanana messages that I have not checked, and apparently I have 14 unread email messages from just the past three minutes while I have been writing this.
How Do You Clear The Garbage From Your Head?
Well, ok. Actually, all of that happened before I started writing (and I am now up to 26 new unread emails). It is really hard to keep from checking them, of course, as they are only a click away and I am waiting for a specific email response.
So, I am back on track and motivated to get this out of my head and onto paper (well, you know, not paper – the Internet). Part of that is just because I know that I need some time away from the computer tonight, and part of it is due to the need for me to leave here in an hour to remove a ‘virus’ from my sister’s computer and to install Windows 7 on my mother’s machine. Everyone is busy and all of these distractions and lengthy to-do lists seem to make it harder.
Well, here are five things that I use to help me to get rid of the garbage in my head.
Write It Down
Take A Shower
Ok, I did this too. I started obsessing about not having a solid point of view on something that I was writing for my day job and decided to take a break. Showers are magic – I decided to write this about 10 minutes ago, and now it is almost done. I think I decided how to handle the thing for work too. 
Go For A Walk or Take A Nap
I am putting these together because they have the same effect on me. I know that is weird and that they probably don’t have the same effect on everyone. The point is, these are both great ways to take your mind off of things so long as you do not spend too much time on them.
Have A Conversation
If you are trying to make a decision or to write something unique, it is often a good idea to talk through your ideas with someone else. For me, that allows someone to tell me that I am wrong (which, for both my job and for posting on this blog, is a great thing).
Put It Off To Do Another Day
This one is either very effective, or a complete disaster. Sometimes, it can be worse than a disaster. There are things that I have put off which I never went back to. Use this one with caution.
Conclusion
Working is not easy, even when you are interested in it. There is so much noise out there that when it gets into your head, it is hard to quiet it, and it can hurt your drive to finish what you started.
Well, I am off to fix two computers, exercise, have dinner, and play a video game with the wife. Have a good day!
Your Turn
How do you clear the garbage from your head?
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Twitter: TheJohnSoares
said:
Mark, my favorite is “go for a walk.”
I also take a 20-minute most afternoons after lunch, when I can, and I find that short rest can make a big difference. (especially when I have some coffee just after…)
“Putting it off” sometimes works very well for something that’s complicated and doesn’t have an immediate deadline.
.-= John Soares´s last blog ..Living Well — Or Slowly Killing Yourself? =-.
Hey John –
I try to take a walk if it possible. It has been raining here so much lately that I sometimes think we may as well just be living underwater. The coffee idea is a great one too, so long as you can handle it. I know someone who was told by their doctor that they need to slow down or it would kill them. I was shocked that coffee can kill. So, great idea so long as you don’t overdue it. Have a great day!
Twitter: Ileane
said:
HA! I loved every minute of reading this. Well at least the ones when I wasn’t thinking about my own distractive garbage. Your writing rocks and now it has even motivated me to write a comment (more than I can say for the 12 other blogs I’ve visited already this morning). You got my vote.
So I guess what I’m saying is the reading the right blogs can help clear your head too.
BTW – they invited this neat little waterproof notepad that you can use in the shower to jot down your thoughts. Seems the shower helps “cleanse” a lot of people’s heads.
Thanks for the encouragement.
.-= Ileane @ The Podcast Blog´s last blog ..Share From YouTube To Google Buzz =-.
Hi Ileane!
I really appreciate your kind words!
You are right, sometimes reading someone else’s writing can be helpful. I love the idea of a notepad for the shower!
Have a great day!!
Twitter: mkakan
said:
i do 2 and 3 ..write it down,take a walk or a nap…they work…
.-= mk ´s last blog ..My First 50 Blog Posts: Lessons, Mistakes and Achievements =-.
Thanks for stopping by mk. I am thinking about taking a nap right now…
Have a good day!
Twitter: Uzma_Hyder
said:
Hi. Enjoyed this. Especially walk or nap. But seriously, clutter in our heads is a problem that will control us , if we don’t control it instead . Your points are nice and easy, i guess the bottom line is to do something that distracts the mind so we came back clear headed. Thanks
Uzma´s last [type] ..Destiny and the journey
I walk my dog or cuddle with a cat. molly
molly campbell´s last [type] ..HOARDERS
great post. I like your style: clear and concise.
Must of us work at home, or have our office at home. My advice is: First, make your bed, take a shower, have your breakfast. And Never, never, work on pajamas.
Sometimes when i feel that i can’t find the answers and the ideas seems to stop flowing i take a walk or go out to take a coffee, talk to people. That helps to clear my mind and start thinking again.
maxm´s last [type] ..Como reconquistar a un hombre