Distractions an issue?

I'm terrible for being distracted. I can start a task and almost immediately think of something else I could be doing... and wonder if maybe I should do that other thing.

It's a dangerous place to be when you start doing something but your mind plays tricks on you by reminding you of all the other things you have to do. That's a time-sapper and a self-destruct, I reckon. It's also a struggle I have faced too often.

Now some people will say they're multi-taskers and they don't have the above issue. I struggle with the idea of multi-tasking and inwardly cringe when the term crops up. My problem? You simply can't commit to do more than one thing at a time, surely. (I've even had female friends tell me that multi-tasking isn't really a thing and that's some consolation, as it's always women who are credited with being able to perform this amazing feat!).

If we're honest with ourselves and accept that we have many things to do and achieve, I suspect the good old-fashioned idea of a "to-do" list isn't a bad thing. Of course, I've even found a way to almost destroy the basic benefits of drawing up such a list, as I then have to prioritise and something inside me usually convinces me to go with the "quick wins" and avoid the time-consuming much more important tasks. (Then there are multiple lists that begin to appear).

So, what's the answer? Well, I'm no expert (as you can tell!) but I think it's about identifying the tasks (and making a note of them, if, like me, you'd forget what they were) then prioritising them in a very honest and objective way. Maybe think in terms of "What if I was trying to help SOMEONE ELSE prioritise what THEY need to achieve?". Might help get a bit of distance from the issue and help me think more clearly.

So, as a sort of trial, I'm going to set out tasks in an order of priority and see how I get on.

(There are other distractions we could consider but that's for another time, otherwise, well, you know...).