It happens to all of us! I just corrected the two spelling errors. Usually WordPress highlights them, but this time I was too quick to hit the Publish button.

Annnnnd I see I have missed a typo myself: Anazon!

By the way, I gently and with a note of humour wonder if too much internet time has affected your proofreading. You wrote “wwriters” and “tableta”.

I have probably done similarly!

Now, as a freelancer, I find I dread going on the computer. I’ve really culled my online activity to a bare minimum, make Friday – Sunday non-computer days, took social apps off of my phone (and suddenly it was much less interesting to look at), focusing on reading longer and tougher books (on paper, not on my Kindle) and have returned to writing paper letters and writing in notebooks at least to work out ideas. Some mild success, but I am feeling better about reducing screen time.

I am always surprised when I see college classrooms and every student there with a laptop. We all used notebook and pen still, when I was in college, and when I audit or go to classes now, I resist the urge to bring a computer and instead bring paper and pen. I remember things better that way, anyway.

As a graduate student, I HAVE to concentrate for long periods of time throughout the day, and I find when I am plugged into the internet or have a project online that I am working on it becomes very difficult to keep my focus in the moment: there is some part of me that constantly wants, or almost needs, to check twitter and even facebook constantly. There is some odd, palpable need to check social media to see if I have any notifications, almost like I am fulfilling some incessant need for instant gratification. It’s really an odd thing, but it is very real.

A lot of studies have shown that 90 periods of intense, deliberate focus seems to be the sweet spot for world-class talents in their respective fields: that is the magic number for productivity. Then, 15-20 minute breaks before diving back in seems to help. But how often do we really get 90 minutes of pure, unadulterated concentration? It is difficult. I think this is a question that needs to be more fully explored, and I appreciate you bringing it further to our attention.

Thanks Diane. Here’s hoping you’ll spend less time on the Internet!

I often go for a walk out in the open right after completing a post just to re-acclimate myself to the outside world.