Poll: How easy is it to sidetrack you while you are working?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Feb 1, 2019

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How easy is it to sidetrack you while you are working?".

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neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 18:40
Spanish to English
+ ...
Other Feb 1, 2019

It depends on my workload. If I don't have any pressing deadlines, I'm more likely to allow myself to be sidetracked.
Also, if I find the text I'm translating more difficult or less interesting than usual, I may need more breaks from it.


Christopher Schröder
Cristina Bertocci
Ľudovít Dančo (X)
Catherine De Crignis
Elaine Ruby
Francesca Chiarello
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 10:40
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
More than I used to be Feb 1, 2019

The Internet is no help. I used to be very focused, but now, when I go to the Internet to check a fact or look up the usage of an expression while I working, I often find myself tempted by the many links that open up--not to mention emails coming in.

Christopher Schröder
Apolonia Dermit
Mario Freitas
Edegar Colônia Vieira Junior
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 17:40
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I’m pretty good at staying focused but… Feb 1, 2019

I’m not easily distracted and in general I remain focused on my work, but more than the Internet it depends on the number of interruptions: telephone, doorbell, outside noise (the building next to mine is going through major renovation works and the unbearable noise goes on for hours and days!), etc., and on a lot of other factors: quality of my sleep the night before, job deadline, complexity of the document, familiarity with the subject matter. Another thing: I have the neediest dog on Earth... See more
I’m not easily distracted and in general I remain focused on my work, but more than the Internet it depends on the number of interruptions: telephone, doorbell, outside noise (the building next to mine is going through major renovation works and the unbearable noise goes on for hours and days!), etc., and on a lot of other factors: quality of my sleep the night before, job deadline, complexity of the document, familiarity with the subject matter. Another thing: I have the neediest dog on Earth; she lies at my feet or is on top of me asking for attention at all times…Collapse


 
Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Kay-Viktor Stegemann
Germany
Local time: 18:40
English to German
In memoriam
Different kinds of concentration Feb 1, 2019

This is an interesting question. When I worked as a software developer, I was very touchy against disturbances. For this kind of work, I need deep and lasting concentration. A phone call or someone talking to me could destroy this focus and I had to start the concentration process again. I always preferred working alone in a room or with a rather silent colleague, and I never was able to work at home, because at home there are too many things to sidetrack me.
But translating is different.
... See more
This is an interesting question. When I worked as a software developer, I was very touchy against disturbances. For this kind of work, I need deep and lasting concentration. A phone call or someone talking to me could destroy this focus and I had to start the concentration process again. I always preferred working alone in a room or with a rather silent colleague, and I never was able to work at home, because at home there are too many things to sidetrack me.
But translating is different. For example, I can hear music while I translate, but I never could tolerate music while doing software development. Being disturbed is not such a big deal, and I can pick up the work easily where I left it, or switch between tasks quickly. I can work at home without problems. I can only assume that I am using other (or more ...) parts of the brain now. It's a very different kind of "flow".
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Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 14:40
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Family, home affairs... Feb 1, 2019

I live with my wife and three children (adults, but well...). Plus, we do not have any kind of assistance for homemaking. Since I'm the only one who stays at home the whole day, I have to interrupt my work regularly for several reasons. When everyone is at home, I'm interrupted regularly as well. And when none of this happens, I interrupt myself on purpose to take regular breaks.
None of this interferes in the quality of my work or in my concentration, really. It's actually good to "balanc
... See more
I live with my wife and three children (adults, but well...). Plus, we do not have any kind of assistance for homemaking. Since I'm the only one who stays at home the whole day, I have to interrupt my work regularly for several reasons. When everyone is at home, I'm interrupted regularly as well. And when none of this happens, I interrupt myself on purpose to take regular breaks.
None of this interferes in the quality of my work or in my concentration, really. It's actually good to "balance".
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EvaVer (X)
EvaVer (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:40
Czech to French
+ ...
Cannot stay concentrated for long Feb 1, 2019

to start with. Then, when I am really trying to concentrate, my husband (recently retired, aaarrrggghhhh!) comes into my office and starts to discuss an urgent and important topic, like "the dog shouldn't have the run of the garden so often" or "the neighbours have been watching TV since this morning". If you hear I have been arrested for murder...

 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 18:40
French to English
Well if I'm here Feb 3, 2019

It's because I've been distracted and am trying to get myself back into... oh look a squirrel!

 


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Poll: How easy is it to sidetrack you while you are working?






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