Disruptions

Joshua Waitzkin is a chess master, he wrote the book “The Art of Learning”. I was reminded about it today when my neighbors were listening to music too loudly. Joshua wrote that you are supposed to be able to concentrate even if something is distracting you. As an example: there was someone mowing the grass, and Joshua deliberately left the window open even though the noise was disturbing.

I have never achieved that kind of ability — I can’t work when something is bothering me. Too loud music, neighbors arguing and throwing bottles, someone drunkenly yelling, people smoking in the corridors and cigarette smoke getting inside my apartment — all this stuff distracts me so much that I feel I have not been productive these past few days.

I plan to find a new apartment and move this week even though I will lose some money this way.