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I was speaking to a 42 year old guy recently who told me he takes half a pill of Ritalin a day. He was diagnosed with ADHD because he cannot really focus fully on things and has all sorts of problems with concentration. I know many people swear by a supplement called DMAE which is used for sagging skin but also promotes concentration. I cannot say I have problems with concentration, but I can say that I have never really been able to concentrate on one thing at a time and I think, to a large extent, that is why I have been successful. The truth of the matter is I could never run the business I do if I did focus on only one thing at a time.
In this day and age you are expected to work on multiple things, deal with a phone calls, an e-mail and all sorts of things. I think in some respects you need to have the ability to be able to multitask and jump all over the place. I don’t think it is ideal and that is not always the way I would like to work, but one is left with no option. While you are working on documents on your computer the bottom right on your screen indicates e-mails coming through, your phone is making noises etc. I do think one useful feature of many phone apps is the ability to switch off notifications from that app. For example I switch off all WhatsApp notifications. When I want to see something I will turn on the app and get 10 messages but I am not going to have my phone individually notify me of every message on WhatsApp or Instagram etc. If you didn’t know that about me, well now you know now – sounds like the Black Eyed Peas? I strongly recommend to anyone who wants more peace in their lives, and less anxiety, to switch off the notifications. See the messages when you want to. If its life and death your friend can call you. If they don’t have your number you were probably not planning to help them.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 28-Aug-17
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Celeste said:
on Thursday 21-Sep-17 10:42 AM
I have adhd and epilepsy and short term memory loss, but ive never had a epileptic fit, as long as I take my tablets I wont have 1. But I did have a seizure from a tutor that kept stressing me out and kept not leaving me alone , 3 years ago.
Tamaryn said:
on Tuesday 05-Sep-17 05:17 PM
In this day and age if you can't multitask you will inevitably fall behind in one way or another. The most important thing is to manage those multitude of tasks and if that means blocking notifications, placing restrictions, working in a different manner- then so be it. It's an ever-changing and dynamic world we all need to keep on changing and evolving with it without it taking over our lives and sanity.
Liz said:
on Monday 04-Sep-17 04:35 PM
Phones are a definite distraction these days, if it is not WhatsApp messages coming through it is all sorts of other Facebook and Instagram notifications. I think one should set your phone aside and deal with everything going on with your work and then set a time to deal with your phone. I am also not a fan of "concentration assisting medication" as I have found it makes me very restless and not able to focus on what is most important to deal with.
Jolene said:
on Monday 04-Sep-17 12:14 PM
I’m also someone who is all over the place, but somehow I get done what needs to be done in my own chaotic way. Whenever I’m busy with something and I think of something else I need to do, I write it done immediately. I can’t live without my to do lists.
Tersia said:
on Monday 04-Sep-17 11:46 AM
I am also like that, I will ignore my phone until I have proper time to reply. Luckily you can also quickly have a look what the message is about and from who, if I see it's important then only I will open the message. My mind also wonders a lot, I think of thousands of things I have to attend to and then I get to nothing because I don't know where to start so for me I have to write them down otherwise I will also forget. While you are busy with the one thing, there are 10 other things that will pop up to do as well.
Nicky said:
on Friday 01-Sep-17 04:51 PM
My mind is usually full of thoughts and list and what needs to be done but what works for me is allocating specific times to deal with specific tasks and working towards completing the tasks in the allocated time. That's what helped when I studied-I knew that I had as an example 5hours to finish 5 chapters-that way I knew that I couldn't waste my time doing senseless things because the clock is ticking.... and I still use that approach today.
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 01-Sep-17 04:40 PM
I don't like Ritalin. My cousin was on it and I felt like it actually slowed him down so much that he actually started becoming an introvert. There are other herbal things out there for it as well which I even thought about putting my son on but I have also learnt that there are also natural ways to deal with it and that you do not need to pop a pill for something that could be dealt with naturally as well. I suppose people don't even have the time or patience to deal with things naturally either.
Sarah said:
on Friday 01-Sep-17 03:17 PM
My brother had ADHD as a child , but he grew out of it. My parents never put him on any meds. I found it hard to fosuc on one task at a time tho.
Suzanne said:
on Friday 01-Sep-17 09:25 AM
I also feel that I can't concentrate on one thing at a time and sometimes I wish I could. There is just so much happening in my day and even when working on one thing, I am already thinking of the next things and looking at my to do lists.
Joyce said:
on Thursday 31-Aug-17 05:00 PM
I think it is impossible that having to attend to ten tasks and choose to focus on one task at a time out of ten tasks, will not get anywhere.
Bianca N said:
on Thursday 31-Aug-17 02:33 PM
I think life today is far too hectic and as nice as it would be to only focus on one thing and then move on to the next, circumstances don't always allow it, and that is why it is important to be able to focus on more than one thing at a time, doing the most important things first and then moving on to the little things.
Sinead said:
on Thursday 31-Aug-17 02:17 PM
Multitasking is not impossible... It really is essential to be able to multitask in any field of work. Personally, I do not use concentration enhancers and I don't think I need to. Although, if one feels one need its - go ahead.
In my opinion, if you can't concentrate on something in whatever work you do, then you are in the wrong field of work. Find something that isn't driving you to ultimate boredom!
From time to time I find myself putting my phone on airplane mode just to avoid all of those silly little notifications and messages from people. I'm not the type of person that sits on their phone all day. If it's not that, then I log out of social media accounts. I also have a habit of muting certain people/ groups on Whatsapp.
brumilde said:
on Thursday 31-Aug-17 09:01 AM
The brain does not focus on one thing at a time, so why should yourself. the brain is an amazing tool. you just need to utilize it the right way. apparently we only use 20% of our brain capacity. one does tend to get bored when focusing on one thing.
Liesl said:
on Wednesday 30-Aug-17 08:25 AM
To be able to multitask is definitely a must especially in our field. What I sometimes do when I'm feeling it's too much and I need to walk to the outside office, instead of walking through the office I go out the front door and walk around the building, that extra minute in natural sunlight and fresh air makes a difference
Zindy said:
on Wednesday 30-Aug-17 08:06 AM
It is not impossible to multi task if you can handle pressure. Just need to take a few deep breaths when you feel overwhelmed concentrate and prioritize urgent things and tackle them.
Angelique P said:
on Wednesday 30-Aug-17 08:03 AM
Luckily it's easy for women to multitask, we are born with that skill. I think there will be so much less stress in this world without social media. Most of the time when I go on Facebook or listen to the news I get upset. I really think it will be better to just cut yourself of things that does not benefit your life.
Bianca R said:
on Wednesday 30-Aug-17 07:45 AM
I must agree that I find if you do have a certain degree of ADHD and apparently everyone has same, just in different "stages." I am capable of concentrating on numerous things at one time and doing 3 or 4 things at a time or in between one another. Ritalin is a great drug however like every other drug, it has side effects and one really does need to ensure that they do need same before just taking it. I feel that concentrating on one thing at a time just limits your capability and you will be surprised how sharp you actually are to get many things done at a time.
Natasha said:
on Tuesday 29-Aug-17 01:40 PM
Ritalin really works well my parents took me to a doctor who diagnosed me wit ADD when I was in Gr 6 I had to take the tablets everyday during the week but not on weekends. And it helped me to start dealing with multitasking. I went for brain games that teach your brain how to multitask they stick electronics on your head and then you play only using ur brain its quite tiring. I have outgrown it in some parts but I learned how to multitask and how to cope
Thabitha said:
on Tuesday 29-Aug-17 12:15 PM
My message notification is always off my friends and family knows that in order for me to read their messages they must buss me then I will see the massage.
patrick said:
on Tuesday 29-Aug-17 08:26 AM
I have never tried supplements for concentration. I have always relied on my brain and if is not working a move to other things and come back later maybe later in life.
Michelle said:
on Tuesday 29-Aug-17 08:07 AM
Ritalin definitely works. And I agree that it’s very strong medication. But practitioners will never subscribe this medication to people who don't really need it. Multi-tasking is a very important quality in life, especially in the work place. I believe technology and social media are the things taking away peoples concentration. Also students are struggling more with their work because of their priorities that have changed.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 04:59 PM
I remeber starting at De Broglio as a candidate attorney knowing nothing about RAF and it being my first job. As a student you learn how to deal with stress of studies but the working environment is different in so many ways. The first couple of months were rough and I felt like I was drowning but now I feel like it tought me so much. I now know how to think about 10 different things at once while doing something else. Multitasking is a must in any profession. I think multitasking and productivity goes hand in hand. Focus is the key.
Prishani said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 04:21 PM
Multitasking is a must in any profession, I think it is a skill that is learnt and perfected with time, as you go along you find different ways of multitasking. Limiting distractions you can deal with later is key to multitasking successfully.
Daniella said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 11:50 AM
Multitasking is quite easy actually, as long as you stay focused, do everything speedily and efficiently. with regards to ADHD and Ritalin I think everyone will have their own opinion I personally wouldn't put my child on Ritalin ( if I had a child), but it wouldn't bother me if other parents are, each to their own.
Melissa said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 11:33 AM
Ritalin is not good for you or your children especially when you use it on a daily basis. I would prefer something like a vitamin supplement that is more healthier. You don't necessarily have to use any medication, you grow out of it.. I never used Ritalin in my life, only Biostrath to help me relax.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 11:09 AM
Multi-tasking is not impossible. One just needs to learn to deal with stress and attend to things simultaneously. If there is something to concentrate on then leave the emails for an hour while you finish up what you are doing otherwise thats when you make mistakes. I too have my notifications off and log out of social media which insists on sending pointless notifications. I also do this during exams otherwise I get distracted. Sometimes when I am under a bit of pressure I take a ritalin to concentrate while studying and it often helps me to study longer and better. I don't need it during everyday life but when it is studying time it really does help me.
Lucretia said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 11:04 AM
I have to say, sometimes the noise of too many things is an irritation and that is why I enjoy working after hours when the office is quiet. When I work, I like to make sure I have one thing one my desk at a time so I generally can focus on just that topic, however, it is not always ideal given the interruptions that go on all the time. Having said that, at home, I am completely different, I have many things I am busy with at any given time because that is how I function :-)
Mathilda said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 10:25 AM
Parents today are too quick to say their child has ADHD and then give them Ritalin
I also feel if the parents give that child more attention and play with them and encourage them to do sports and that you will support them ,the child will be more focused and not too much of a busy body
I think it’s a good quality to be able to multitask, if you only focused on one thing at a time nothing will get done
nina said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 08:57 AM
I have never used any medication to help with concentration. I believe I am quite lucky that I do not struggle to consentrate and I am quite good when it comes to multitasking. I have heard about many different medications for people suffering with ADHD and I also know that a lot of people that does not actually have serious issues with ADHD or concentrating, also take madication while studying for tests etc, which I do not believe is very healthy as people get addicted quite easily.
Clare said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 08:51 AM
I had ADHD I grow out of it and my parents never put me on Ritalin. Rather Deal with it and let them grow out of it you get schools for the kids that have a problem with it.
Alexis said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 08:36 AM
The hustle and bustle of everyday life. One needs to try and focus on what needs to be done regardless of al else going on and manage your time efficiently. What i do not agree on, is Ritalin for minors especially - there are other way in which to assist and control ADHD etc. It is all about the time and effort you put in
Zanell said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 08:10 AM
I would never suggest Ritalin to young children, I agree that they could use that energy doing sport. I have used Ritalin to study before and it does help but I could never imagine what you would feel like taking one everyday!
Jessica Apfel said:
on Monday 28-Aug-17 07:52 AM
Ritalin is a very strong medication and I frown upon teachers who recommend the usage thereof. People / children with ADHD can find alternatives to medication - perhaps directing energies into other attributes such as sport etc. If I am studying I will turn off my notifications, however apart from that I do not want to miss an important message or be left out - that is what they call FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
