Comments on: The Shiny Object Problem http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/ Changing HR one post at a time. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:05:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: Michael Coates http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31982 Michael Coates Sat, 18 Sep 2010 13:45:01 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31982 I totally agree that these Shiny Object Moments can really create a lot of <a href="http://protostar-uk.com/stress.aspx" rel="nofollow">workplace stress</a>. I totally agree that these Shiny Object Moments can really create a lot of workplace stress.

]]> By: mark.stelzner http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31648 mark.stelzner Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:27:14 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31648 @Jim - I love the idea of getting away from business meetings. Sounds very ROWE to me. @Jim – I love the idea of getting away from business meetings. Sounds very ROWE to me.

]]> By: Jim aka Evil Skippy http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31644 Jim aka Evil Skippy Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:37:00 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31644 How nice to know that I am not alone! (After watching the movie "Up" last year, I call these "Squirrel Moments" -- I often feel like the dog in that movie who stops talking in mid-sentence to move all of his focus to the squirrel sighting). I agree that these Shiny Object Moments can really create a lot of workplace stress. There is so much to do! Do that! No That! Do it all! Now! I think one way to help reduce the distractions is to move towards doing away with the business meeting. (I posted about this a few days ago). Getting rid of business meetings -- or most of them anyway -- would not be a cure-all, but it would be a move in a good direction toward more productivity and less wasted time. How nice to know that I am not alone! (After watching the movie “Up” last year, I call these “Squirrel Moments” — I often feel like the dog in that movie who stops talking in mid-sentence to move all of his focus to the squirrel sighting). I agree that these Shiny Object Moments can really create a lot of workplace stress. There is so much to do! Do that! No That! Do it all! Now! I think one way to help reduce the distractions is to move towards doing away with the business meeting. (I posted about this a few days ago). Getting rid of business meetings — or most of them anyway — would not be a cure-all, but it would be a move in a good direction toward more productivity and less wasted time.

]]> By: mark.stelzner http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31623 mark.stelzner Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:33:06 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31623 @anna - Thank you so much for sharing Anna. Sounds like medication wins the day on this issue. @anna – Thank you so much for sharing Anna. Sounds like medication wins the day on this issue.

]]> By: anna smith http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31622 anna smith Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:13:09 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31622 ...relating to the workplace: with the right medication, I'm confident someone with adhd could master any job that is stressful, requires following-up, scheduling and attention to detail. But without medication, I think that someone with a severe form of adult adhd would be absolutely miserable at such a job. …relating to the workplace: with the right medication, I’m confident someone with adhd could master any job that is stressful, requires following-up, scheduling and attention to detail. But without medication, I think that someone with a severe form of adult adhd would be absolutely miserable at such a job.

]]> By: anna smith http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31621 anna smith Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:06:02 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31621 Yes, very hilarious :) He was diagnosed by a psychiatrist; the session was supposed to take 2 hours, but ended a lot sooner than that (I think it was mainly an interview). The psychiatrist tried him on different medications (he is now taking adderall xr) and referred him to a psychologist for counseling. The counseling was very helpful; especially because people affected by adhd often have a very, very low self esteem. The adderall takes many of the symptoms away, but there are many learned behavior patterns (from an undiagnosed adhd past) that are difficult to unlearn. Yes, very hilarious :) He was diagnosed by a psychiatrist; the session was supposed to take 2 hours, but ended a lot sooner than that (I think it was mainly an interview). The psychiatrist tried him on different medications (he is now taking adderall xr) and referred him to a psychologist for counseling. The counseling was very helpful; especially because people affected by adhd often have a very, very low self esteem. The adderall takes many of the symptoms away, but there are many learned behavior patterns (from an undiagnosed adhd past) that are difficult to unlearn.

]]> By: mark.stelzner http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31620 mark.stelzner Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:42:34 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31620 @anna - Thanks for all the terrific points Anna. And I agree that most of those who I suspect have ADHD are hilarious in their own right. If I may ask, how was your husband diagnosed? What is the recommended treatment? @anna – Thanks for all the terrific points Anna. And I agree that most of those who I suspect have ADHD are hilarious in their own right. If I may ask, how was your husband diagnosed? What is the recommended treatment?

]]> By: anna smith http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31617 anna smith Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:29:21 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31617 My husband was diagnosed with adult ADHD about two years ago. There are various forms of adult ADHD - some mild ones, some not so mild. The 'disorder' often comes with comorbid conditions... and if nothing else, a drug/substance abuse background, financial troubles, broken relationships, jail time, dropping out of school/college... in other words: there would be real symptoms (the internet would not have to tell you about). Workplace solutions I know: a super secretary (that thinks of all the stuff the adhd person forgets) or a 'different job' (with little bureaucracy). The adhd people I know are extremely creative and funny. My husband was diagnosed with adult ADHD about two years ago. There are various forms of adult ADHD – some mild ones, some not so mild. The ‘disorder’ often comes with comorbid conditions… and if nothing else, a drug/substance abuse background, financial troubles, broken relationships, jail time, dropping out of school/college… in other words: there would be real symptoms (the internet would not have to tell you about). Workplace solutions I know: a super secretary (that thinks of all the stuff the adhd person forgets) or a ‘different job’ (with little bureaucracy). The adhd people I know are extremely creative and funny.

]]> By: mark.stelzner http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31611 mark.stelzner Thu, 27 May 2010 23:13:52 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31611 @Meghan - I'm torn as to the "live with it/ignore it" portion of the issue. In some respects I do think that's the only option. Thanks for the comment. @Bill - Ha! Great comment. Sounds like it's time to make your millions designing garbage can lids. Your comment about dolphins ruling the world made me laugh (it's only funny because it's true). @Kevin - But if you did that, how could I tweet what was said, check my email, get that "emergency" call, etc. :) @Mike - "Dogs chasing trucks". Love that. That explains the bumper taste I can't seem to get out of my mouth. @John - "Be here now". That's good advice. Let me know how the battle goes for you my friend. @Naomi - One term you used really caught my eye. "Interrupt processing". You nailed the problem, thank you. @Meghan – I’m torn as to the “live with it/ignore it” portion of the issue. In some respects I do think that’s the only option. Thanks for the comment.

@Bill – Ha! Great comment. Sounds like it’s time to make your millions designing garbage can lids. Your comment about dolphins ruling the world made me laugh (it’s only funny because it’s true).

@Kevin – But if you did that, how could I tweet what was said, check my email, get that “emergency” call, etc. :)

@Mike – “Dogs chasing trucks”. Love that. That explains the bumper taste I can’t seem to get out of my mouth.

@John – “Be here now”. That’s good advice. Let me know how the battle goes for you my friend.

@Naomi – One term you used really caught my eye. “Interrupt processing”. You nailed the problem, thank you.

]]> By: Naomi Bloom http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/2010/05/26/the-shiny-object-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-31610 Naomi Bloom Thu, 27 May 2010 18:06:29 +0000 http://inflexionadvisors.com/blog/?p=379#comment-31610 Mark, a big part of my work is to think, to reflect, to analyze quietly, to test assumtions, to build mental models and analytical frameworks, to figure out where my clients need to go and why -- and then to present all of this in a coherent, well-reasoned, precisely expressed work product. I can't do my work if I'm racing around, interrupt processing, obsessed with trivia, etc. etc. Perhaps it's generational, but learning to do Latin declensions focuses your mind -- being a Crackberry doesn't. As for those raccoons, we keep them away from our ripe mangos by building, each year, a metal collar for the Mango tree which is very much like the collars you see on docked ships' lines to keep the rats from boarding. As for keeping them out of garbage cans, I would refer Bill to his knowledge of nautical knots. Mark, a big part of my work is to think, to reflect, to analyze quietly, to test assumtions, to build mental models and analytical frameworks, to figure out where my clients need to go and why — and then to present all of this in a coherent, well-reasoned, precisely expressed work product. I can’t do my work if I’m racing around, interrupt processing, obsessed with trivia, etc. etc. Perhaps it’s generational, but learning to do Latin declensions focuses your mind — being a Crackberry doesn’t. As for those raccoons, we keep them away from our ripe mangos by building, each year, a metal collar for the Mango tree which is very much like the collars you see on docked ships’ lines to keep the rats from boarding. As for keeping them out of garbage cans, I would refer Bill to his knowledge of nautical knots.

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