Feb.15, 2026 ruthjimward@gmail.com. Google: Ruth Ward Blogs
Are you DDTS savvy? -- -- Directed Distraction Time Saving?
A series of distractions delayed this blog. Have you been pulled around the house, office or garage distractions-on-the-loose, like I was?
In mid-November, merely looking for a copy of a book that I knew was in a small box stacked among 12 other boxes, was all it took to get the distraction-ball rolling. Every unmarked box that I opened presented a temptation—the 2024 Christmas Family Letter reminding me that it was time to write the 2025 Christmas letter; and right there were cards and notes from the first Christmas after Jim’s homegoing. I paused to read the encouraging messages again--45 minutes. Upon opening the newest box that held the remainder of Jim’s Celebration booklets, I couldn’t help but re-read the entire booklet which took about thirty minutes. But, as I pondered the contribution from a friend whom we hadn’t seen but a few times over the years, I felt moved to email him right then to let him know how much Jim appreciated his friendship and how impressed I was for his kind words. I took a minute to mark that box, too, knowing that I’d be looking for a copy again some time. (60 minutes used).
“Locating that little box shouldn’t be so difficult,” I murmured to myself. The next box contained the books. “Hmm, this box needs to be labeled, too, for the next time I need a copy.” The box was quickly labeled--(a little over 2 hours spent on a 5-minute project).
When it dawned on me that I had been controlled by the series of distractions that used up far more time than I had allotted, I had to laugh. The positive aspects of extra time spent following distractions were: I immensely enjoyed several meaningful trips down memory lane including the reminder to write the Christmas letter; being comforted once again by the notes from 2020 Christmas cards the first Christmas after Jim was gone; re-reading the Celebration Booklet, and being moved to email our friend. Another benefit was that the experience piqued my desire to study distractions--where they come from, who gets them, and how to avoid them--making it the next blog subject.
During Mac’s weekly call I shared about the series of tempting distractions and how I felt like one of the awe-stricken children following the *Pied Piper of Hamelin. "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" a famous poem by Robert Browning…1842…retells a German legend about a mysterious piper who rids the town of Hamelin of rats but then leads the town's children away in revenge when the townspeople refuse to pay him. (teaching the importance of keeping promises).
Mac remembered that the story was about rats, but I only remembered children following the Pied Piper. Neither of us had grasped the meaning of the story. But when I shared that the amount of time lost on a five-minute chore went against my grain, Mac said that he dislikes wasting time, too. No wonder, because from little up, Mom distilled in us, as her parents had taught her, that time was precious and was not to be wasted. With six children and a 14-room country home to clean, plus cooking, baking, canning, laundry and other parental responsibilities, it was easy to understand why Mom couldn’t afford to waste a minute. Also, by example, she taught us to make every moment count.
A couple phrases from childhood are still fresh in my mind—"Don’t’ dawdle”, “There’s no time to waste”, “Be responsible for spending your time wisely.” Our entire lives are woven around our respect for time. The time lost in following myriad distractions cannot be saved, just like an ice cream cone. We are wise to remind ourselves of the basic value of time entrusted to us and become aware of the major time-eater—distractions--and how to direct them before wasting time following them. I wondered if a particular temperament was especially subject to distractions.
THOSE WHO RECEIVE DISTRACTIONS: Informal polling of every temperament revealed that every person said that they receive and wrestle with distractions. Many said “I’m no fan of distractions.” All agreed that at times distractions help them to think outside the box or circle. But they all agreed that distractions “swallow a hunk of time.” I’m sharing several emails.
I do not allow myself to be distracted. Of course, I always take time to chat with a friend or do something for them. I consider those things as positive distractions. I have a list of things to accomplish each day. I stick to my list; otherwise, I would be disappointed with myself. When an unwanted distraction occurs, then I have to push myself to stay "on track.” We can be distracted by a phone call while driving which can be dangerous to ourselves as well as others. Even my dentist tries to distract me by pulling on my cheek prior to a shot. It causes me to forget the inevitability of receiving a shot. J.
THE SOURCE OF DISTRACTIONS: Not surprisingly, distractions enter (or should I say sneak?) through the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. I’m adding think to that list, since mental distractions hitch rides on dreams and special interest involvements. Therefore, distractions arrive uninvited, no matter who we are, where we are, what we are doing or how much time we have. Whatever we are physically or mentally involved in, distractions send related and unrelated possibilities diverting our attention to a new exciting ‘enterprise’, and/or often getting us completely off target. often lead me astray from my main focus.”
The following emails emphasize the common occurrence and influence of distractions.
As I braided my daughter’s hair, I noticed a partially opened drawer. It was overfilled, so I emptied it, cleaned it, and replaced only proper items. An hour later, I resumed my normal day. R.
In relocating houses, each has a ‘punch list’ of tasks, based on coordination with other tasks, weather, materials needed, etc. As a new idea enters, it gets prioritized and added to the ‘punch list’, which helps in managing the distractions. Often, I’m aware of God’s instructions taking priority. D
Distractions prevent us from living the life we want. There is a belief that “our life is what we think about.” I enjoy life best when I have a goal or desired objective to focus on. However, with so much information at our fingertips and our shortened attention spans, it is easy to be distracted and lose focus. I would like to be better at avoiding the distraction of things I can’t control and improving focus on what is important to me. Then I can live the life I want. W.
REMEDY FOR DIRECTING DISTRACTIONS: Distractions are actually good to experience when one is disciplined enough to quickly categorize a distraction as a ‘good idea’, or ignore one that draws us off target. ‘Out-smart’ distractions, by recording ideas to be used at a later date or completely ignored.
Finally…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil: 4:8 NIV You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you so, trust the Lord always, because he is our rock forever. Isa: 26:34 (NCV).