Sometimes the most distracting element in our lives is not the mobile device we are carrying around, nor social media nor other people. Rather, it is ourselves. We can be alone with our minds without anything external going on and still be distracted since our minds go on a tangential route.

One moment you think about something embarrassing you did some years back; the next you think about tomorrow and then the conversation which has not taken place yet. One idea after another pops up into your head and all of a sudden you've lost yourself an hour in there.

In my opinion, the reason for this phenomenon lies in the nature of our mind, where it goes through tangential routes rather than the direct path we intend it to.

What is peculiar is the fact that those thoughts sometimes may be of no particular importance. We sometimes think just for the sake of thinking.

Not thinking is not the answer because that is not possible. What should be done is realizing when you are thinking about something unnecessarily.

Once I realize that my mind is spinning around, I start to differentiate between things I am capable of doing and what I am merely fantasizing about. Should there be any action that needs to be taken, then I focus on the next concrete step. On the contrary, if there is nothing to be done at the moment, continuing to ruminate is unlikely to be helpful.

Putting down what I think is also an effective way to give my mind less to process all at once.

Our minds are great helpers, but they are not always orders that need to be fulfilled. A thought comes to our mind not always requiring our attention.

Sometimes being productive is not about doing anything. Sometimes it is just about focusing on something else.