Can I confess something to you? I am easily distracted.
In the Pixar movie Up, Dug, the talking dog, is talking to the old man Carl Fredricksen when Dug suddenly looks away and says, “Squirrel!”
So often I feel like Dug. I want to give someone my full attention but …..
- My phone buzzed. Oh no! What if someone needs me?
- I am working on something, and I keep the thoughts running in my head instead of focusing on the person in front of me.
- I remember something I forgot. Now I’m afraid I am going to forget it again.
- I so admire people who can stay focused in a conversation. I have a few friends who are great at it. If they are talking to someone, it is hard to interrupt them. They are so focused on the person in front of them nothing else seems to matter.
How do we focus on others, especially our spouse and kids? Here’s some things I have tried:
- Turn and face them and look them in the eye.
- Stop trying to multitask. It really doesn’t work anyway.
- If you can’t forget something, stop the conversation and write it down. Often I will send myself an email for example. Then get back to focusing on the person.
- Of course, put the phone down.
I think a lot of us have issues with distractions but just because a lot of us have the issue does not make it good for us. At least one time today talk to your child and give them your full attention. Let’s work on being more focused and less distracted in our conversations with our spouse and kids.
