This reminds me of when I was in elementary school. I was always good at school – got almost straight A’s (or E’s and S+’s when I was in elementary school), and never really struggled with it. But I have always had a hard time concentrating on work when there is a lot of outside noise. This is probably why I developed into a speedy test-taker. If you are one of the first ones done, you don’t have to worry so much about other people talking and screwing up your concentration.

Anyway, when I was in second grade (I’m pretty sure it was second grade – with Mrs. Rislov (?sp)), we were working on some sort of worksheet or something in class. I don’t even remember what it was. All I remember is that I didn’t finish it before everyone started talking. They were second graders – you can’t really fault them for talking. But I COULD NOT concentrate enough to finish my work, and kept getting distracted. I was missing out on stuff! So eventually the teacher sent me to the principal’s office to finish, because it was quiet. But I was mortified. I did NOT get into trouble in school. Ever.* I was obviously scarred for life.

Work lately has been crazy – with a million things to do, and people calling our office and yelling at me.** And sometimes it’s just too overwhelming. So instead of taking a smoke break (I don’t smoke) or going for a walk (I would just get more overwhelmed thinking about work while walking) I take a quick Scrabble break on Facebook. The game saves even when you aren’t online, and you don’t both need to be on there at the same time, so it’s perfect for playing over the course of a few days when you are just making a move or two on a break. And it makes me think about something else for 5 minutes.  And it has saved my sanity this last week.

What do you do to relax when work is getting overwhelming?

*Except for the time I walked out on my gym class in like 5th or 6th grade because the gym teacher was encouraging the other team to cheat. I’m such a rebel. I know.

**Only 1 person called our office and yelled at me, but it wasn’t my account and it wasn’t anything I can do anything about. And also, there is never a good reason to yell at people over the phone. If you are that upset hang up and call back later. I don’t want to listen to it.