Comments on: Guest Post from Cairene MacDonald

By: Transitions! — Third Hand Works

Transitions! — Third Hand Works — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:48:27 +0000

[...] easily distracted. It’s really hard to make myself create when I need some connection. Or connect when I am [...]

By: Nicola

Nicola — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:53:08 +0000

This is brilliant. My inner rebel has been very busy of late and I’ve responded by implementing Getting Things Done again.

It’s extremely helpful seeing this list of issues – they really focus on the root cause. My issues are probably related mostly to self-care. When work gets overwhelming I tend to soldier on when I’d be better taking a break. And also a creativity issue – trying to maintain a balance between the demands of my dayjob and wanting to progress my personal projects but having put all my energy into the dayjob with nothing left over.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:22:39 +0000

Wow what a great post! This is my first time to your site but I will definitely be back. After just starting to work from home my inner rebel makes concentration harder then when working in a three walled cubical away from every other distraction. but really, I’m not complaining, I’m glad my inner rebel has a chance to show me what it wants.

By: Joy

Joy — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:32:39 +0000

Thank you for introducing Careine. So much of what she writes is exactly what I am thinking. I try to be mindful of distractions and when I notice I wonder is it my Spirit leading, or some type of avoidance. Definitely serve a purpose to keep me on track though. And sometimes I’ve found in following what I thought were distractions of avoidance (so mistakes), the path led to doors I never knew existed with fabulous results.

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:57:23 +0000

Fantastic post!

I always look at it this way: our instincts (or “inner rebels” if you like) are not there to get us in trouble. They’re not there to make us hurt. They’re there to help us along and tell us things about ourselves – and sometimes the only tool they have at their disposal is the art of distraction.

Cairene has given some great ways to work with yourself instead of against yourself. Well done.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:09:04 +0000

Thank you!!! I have been trying to ‘tame’ my inner rebel for a very long time and…suddenly…I realize she has made perfect sense all along. I am going to give The Rebel more clout to speak her mind…and take the time to listen…maybe if I listen I can negotiate…”wouldn’t a walk along the river be so much nicer than a triple scoop hot fudge sundae???” (hmmm not sure how that one will go…I’ll keep you posted!!) But yes – I’ve been treating this rebel yell as if its a child with a tantrum rather than a part of me that really does need a break…now I’m very curious as to how this week/month…lifetime will go!

By: Roberta

Roberta — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:17:31 +0000

Great inspiration, thanks for sharing. Great reminder to us all that “things happen for a reason”…even our own distrations…lol This is one reason why I love “writing it down” because I know that I can find a “thought” or “inspiration” when I need it and not worry about stopping what I’m doing right away and becoming distracted.

By: Tiko

Tiko — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:38:01 +0000

I love this post…thank you! I realize now I need to get some tools in my toolbox to help me stay calm and focused. That’s my reason for being distracted…I’m really starting to freak out a bit on the inside! I remember some things that helped me in the past. I’ll have to start using those tools again. Thanks for the wonderful reminder!!

By: Suzie the Foodie

Suzie the Foodie — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:36:47 +0000

Wow, you know what helped me most about this article? Other than it was about having an inner rebel which I can really relate to…I just realized that my inner rebel has a very limited vocabulary. So when I can’t find the words to express what is wrong, that it’s my inner rebel trying to work things about through the uncomfortable state of distraction. Fascinating! Thank you for this.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:30:11 +0000

Thanks Jamie, this is a fantastic guest post ~ I hadn’t come across Cairene’s work before.

This is just so relevant to me at the moment. I’ve been really thinking about how I use distractions to prevent myself getting into my Creativity, and yet I want to be creative. But distractions are great excuses for not failing, and for some reason the mind is hooked on the idea of ‘not doing so I won’t fail’.

I’m making it worse, by getting onto Twitter, by getting my email updates instantly on my blackberry ….. argh! It’s just so necessary to carve out some time when all the devices are switched off. Otherwise, when do you truly make time to just be with yourself?

Lots of love, and gratitude, as ever.