Focus is something of a novelty these days. We’ve got cellphones for texting and calls, IM, Twitter, Email, RSS feeds, Facebook, Myspace… the list goes on and on. If you don’t have ADD before you start working online, it seems it’s almost inevitable¹ thanks to these inputs². If you’re a web worker who uses the Internet for the majority of the day, you’re especially at risk for losing focus.

注意力如今成了新鲜物。我们有手机来发短信、打电话，即时聊天工具，博客，电子邮件，RSS订阅，Facebook，Myspace……不胜枚举。如果上网工作前你没有注意力缺陷障碍(attention deficit³ disorder)，那么因为上面那些东西，你也将会不可避免地患上这种病症。如果你是一位一天大部分时间都使用互联网的网络工作者，那么注意力不集中的可能性更大。

Focus is something that must be fought for. It’s not something that automatically switches on when you want to. You have to make sure your surroundings are perfect for working if you want to be focused. Here’s a few ways I’ve found this to work:

注意力是需要争取的，它不会在你想要的时候自动开启。如果你想让注意力集中，那么就必须让自己所处的环境最适合工作。下面是我发现的一些有帮助的方法：

4. Keep a steady pace. 保持一定节奏。Don’t try to do too much. Keeping the pace manageable allows you to keep your focus. Unfortunately, people can confuse this with “Work till you drop without breaks”. See number 2.

不要尝试一次做太多。将节奏控制在可操作的范围内可以让你集中注意力。不幸地是人们会将这条原则等同于“没有休息地一直工作到死”。请见第二条。（昨日文章）

5. Keep a daily “purpose” card. 每天做 “目的”卡片。It’s pretty easy to get lost staring at the computer all day long. We’ll find rabbit holes to wonder down (ie. Youtube, Myspace, etc.) if we’re not careful. Having your daily purpose card gives you clarity and a reminder⁴ as to what you’re doing today.

人们很容易茫然地盯着屏幕就是一整天。不小心的话就会进入一个个神奇世界（例如Youtube，Myspace等等）。有了当天的“目的”卡片，你就能清楚自己的任务，卡片可以随时提醒你。

6. Develop the mindset that the computer is only a tool. 养成“计算机只是工具”的心态。It’s easy to try and use the computer for too much. At its core, the computer is merely a tool (albeit a freakin’ awesome⁵ one) that allows to do work more efficiently⁶. If we’re using it as something more than that, (like as a solution for your life), you’ll ultimately fail. It’s like trying to eat a steak dinner with only a spoon.

人们很容易用电脑过度。从本质上说，计算机只是一个工具而已（尽管强大地惊人）。它让人们更有效地工作。如果你不只把它做为一个工具来使用，（例如把它作为生活的答案)，那么最终你会失败，就好像只用一个勺子来吃一顿牛排晚餐。