Driven to Distraction at Work

How to Focus and Be More Productive

By: Ned Hallowell

Narrated by: Christopher Kipiniak

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Are you driven to distraction at work? Best-selling author Edward M. Hallowell, MD, the world's leading expert on ADD and ADHD, has set his sights on a new goal: helping people feel more in control and productive at work.

You know the feeling: You can't focus; you feel increasingly overwhelmed by a mix of nonstop demands and technology that seems to be moving at the speed of light; and you're frustrated just trying to get everything done well - and on time. Not only is this taking a toll on performance, it's impacting your sense of well-being outside the office. It's time to reclaim control.

Dr. Hallowell now identifies the underlying reasons why people lose their ability to focus at work. He explains why commonly offered solutions like "learn to manage your time better" or "make a to-do list" don't work because they ignore the deeper issues that are the true causes of mental distraction. Based on his years of helping clients develop constructive ways to deal with distraction, Dr. Hallowell provides a set of practical and reliable techniques to show how to sustain a productive mental state.

In Part 1 of the audiobook, he identifies the six most common ways people lose the ability to focus at work - what he calls "screen sucking" (Internet/social media addiction), multitasking, idea hopping (never finishing what you start), worrying, playing the hero, and dropping the ball - and he explains the underlying psychological and emotional dynamics driving each behavior.

Part two of the book provides advice for "training" your attention overall so that you are less susceptible to surrendering it in any situation. The result is a book that will empower you to combat each one of these common syndromes - and clear a path for you to achieve your highest personal and professional goals.

Cover design by Kimberly Glyder

©2015 Edward M. Hallowell, MD (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Scenarios engage my interest

As a person with ADHD, I learn best with the Audible 95% reading speed option.

Helped me get my life on track

Between following the suggestions in this book (and proper medication of course) I really feel like I'm doing the right thing. The character profiles are a little melodramatic, but that didn't stop me from breaking down at the "screen sucking" chapter... I'd say do the survey he mentions, listen to all the intros to each chapter, but don't feel too guilty skipping any that you don't really identify with.

(definitely recommend going with 2x speed, he talks slowly and clearly so it works great)

Circutious ramble

An incoherent tale of anecdotes with little practical advice. The title is disingenuous; it should be: commentary & tales of the disorganized. Reccomend Russell Barkley's, Taking Charge of Adult ADHD for practical advice.

Not the best

I thought this book would have mor techniques related to working more effectivly....but it doesn't have very many. Really a dusappointment.

Life support!

Everyone should read this book just to be aware of how dramatic the effects of ADT or ADD can be on someone and the people they spend time with.

Excellent!

This book provided great insight, skills and tips to be proactive in your ADHD journey.

Great book!!

Great book. It really gave me a lot of insight and made me really think about how certain things in my life had an effect on me. I enjoyed it.

Not my favorite

This book claims to not be simple self help, but I cannot find what distinguishes it. "The Power of Habit" and "Mastery" are much better examples of the helpful yet valuable ideal.

Good work

An excellent introduction and overview of the issues with steps everyone could use to improve.

it's useful but way longer than it should be

In the chapters he's discussing the add characteristics - some chapters part 2 if I remember correctly - are actually interesting and very useful. But the stories he uses to build examples in part 1 are dreadful. The last chapters are some kind of wrap up of everything, mostly unnecessary, or at least, excessive. It was not a waste of my time, as I was able to learn some important things and the author is clearly an expert in the subject, but I didn't enjoy the *entire* book.

Some good points. Some debatable.

Has areas of quality advice. However, I remain unconvinced of certain recommendations in latter chapters.

Superb insights

Dr Hallowell brings forward superb insights with generosity, compassion and empathy in an easy to read (listen to) style.