How to kick the distraction addiction

Illustration: Tim Bradford

I recently interviewed a professor at Stanford University about the topic of digital distraction, which I think we can all agree is fairly pertinent given the mind-boggling stats in the press of how often we check our phones (around 150 interactions a day).

Portfolio: Fighting digital distraction

Illustration: Tim Bradford

Digital technology has become an indispensible part of our daily lives and many argue that distraction is the price of our high-tech world, but Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, author of The Distraction Addiction, says that’s wrong. He believes that we need to retake control of our relationship with technology and learn to use it in ways that allow us to be more mindful, efficient and productive

At its simplest, distraction occurs when you should be focusing your attention on a specific task, but some other task or thought keeps you from staying focused. Now there are times when it’s perfectly fine to let your thoughts take over. In fact, our brains are well designed for mind wandering; distraction, however, is less positive.

Women in publishing

Less than 10% of the PPA's 230 member organisations are run by women. It's a discouraging statistic from the professional publishing association which was addressed at a special seminar last week, entitled 'Power in Publishing: Inspiration from ambitious women'. The ambitious women offering their perspectives on the industry were Diane Young, CEO of The Drum, Mandy Rhodes, Managing Director of Holyrood Communications and Angela Haggerty, Editor of CommonSpace.

A day trip to the Scottish Borders

I'm lucky enough to live in one of the most scenic countries in the world, but I'm guilty of not making the most of it, especially with enticing long weekends to European capitals only a cheap two-hour flight away. Sometimes it's more expensive to holiday in my home country, than book a discount break. But enough excuses. This year, I'm going to make more of an effort to visit Edinburgh's surrounding countryside.

Portfolio: The organisation of your dreams

Illustration: Makers Company

As engagement levels at organisations remain challenging, Professor Rob Goffee of London Business School asks a pertinent question: why should anyone work here? He tells Reflect how organisations can become more authentic by using the DREAMS model

Gareth Jones and myself wrote a book called Why Should Anyone Be Led By You? which had a central recommendation: be yourself more, with skill. We asked what is different about you as a leader that will lift, inspire and motivate others. Executives who we worked with liked this idea, but many of them turned round and said, “I’ll be more authentic if I work in an authentic organisation.” The more people who said this to us, the more we paid attention: what did they mean when they talked about an ‘authentic organisation’?

Netflix's leading ladies

My worst habit is undoubtedly that I watch far too much television. When I was younger, I used to be a bookworm, but studying literature at university sucked much of the enjoyment out of reading for me. Books have now been replaced with television shows, and more often than not, I'll spend my weekends catching up on the latest additions to Netflix, whether this is The Blacklist, Peaky Blinders or The Good Wife.

Did I hear sale? Six of my best finds

The winter sales began before Christmas and February is nearly upon us, but this hasn't stopped me from continuing in my hunt for a hard-earned bargain. I much prefer the January sales to the summer equivalent: it is a chance to invest in staples that will last for more than one season; cherry-pick home accessories to complement existing decor without the price tag; and nab SS16 inspired pieces that only dropped a few weeks before being discounted (trends lingering around include cold shoulder pieces and glam-geek midi-length skirts).

In what remains of the sales, I thought I'd share some of the gems I've unearthed after hours spent trawling department stores and online shops.

Seoul life

I was lucky enough to live in South Korea for a year, where I worked as an English teacher. I categorically do not miss teaching, but one thing I do miss is the shopping, so much so that I wish I could teleport there right now. I can’t overestimate how good it is – the clothes are affordable, beautiful and current. I wrote this shopping guide for a London-based website shortly after returning to Scotland and I’d like to share it with you.

The Red Door Gallery

Nestled between Victoria Street's myriad of independent boutiques and eateries is a cute little gallery brimming with pretty prints alongside homewares and fashion accessories. With 100-plus illustrators to choose from, the Red Door Gallery's prints of Edinburgh are especially eye-catching and would add a touch of design to any home.

Portfolio: The future of travel

Illustration: White Light Media

It’s the year 2024. You are travelling from Zurich to New York for a business meeting with a new client. Your Digital Travel Buddy sifts through all the data of your previous business trips to provide you with a tailored itinerary and book your travel. After checking in using your smart-watch, you arrive early at the airport to shop its virtual walls before a holographic staff member informs you that your flight is ready for boarding and guides you to the gate. There’s no line at security as the latest biometric software scans people from afar. On the flight, your seat becomes a virtual office and you have a quick meeting in 3D with a business colleague. Arriving in New York, your favourite music is playing when you check in to your hotel room. After a quick Vitamin C shower to recover from jetlag, you then leave for your meeting.

It may sound far-fetched, but Skyscanner’s vision for the future of travel is much more realistic than you would at first think. The global travel search engine recently collaborated with industry experts and futurologists on a report exploring how travel will become richer, easier and more intuitive within the next 10 years. As Director of B2B, Filip Filipov, explains, business travel will likewise be transformed by technology.

The illustrations of Jazmin Velasco

Mr Elton loves Miss Woodhouse, Emma

Mr Darcy is the patriarchal male: morally uncompromising, absolute in his convictions, wildly handsome, yet aloof to the point of arrogance. Despite being proud and initially blind to her own feelings, Lizzy can't help but fall for him in Austen's iconic love story, Pride and Prejudice.

A former English Literature student, Austen is a literary heroine of mine and Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite novels. The social satire, the unrequited love, the restrained manners... what isn't there to enjoy about her writing.

Those Were the Days

Browsing through the rails of vintage clothing in the independent boutique Those Were the Days is comparable to turning through the pages of fashion history. Fifties floral prom dresses, colour block shifts from the sixties, seventies maxi dresses and oversized eighties sweatshirts, plus a sprinkling of pieces from the thirties and forties - every decade is eagerly acknowledged.

Portfolio: Gerwegian fizz

Image: David Anderson for Hot Rum Cow

WEST’s Petra Wetzel on keeping it simple, taking on lager’s big boys and leaving a legacy

The 19th-century Templeton building is an unexpected, yet welcome sight in the large, open expanse of Glasgow Green, the city’s oldest park. It is an imposing, hulking building, which was modelled on the Doge’s palace in Venice to appease local residents of a factory being built on their doorstep. Step through its doors, and it feels as if I’ve just landed bang smack in the centre of not Venice, but Munich. I’m greeted by the strong waft of beer and the low hum of chatter in a spacious, Bavarian-style beer hall, complete with acres of dark wood, an impressive array of taps and steins of frothy lager. If it wasn’t for the Glaswegian accents giving it away, you might think this was the Hofbräuhaus.

Instead, it’s WEST brewery, and I’m here to talk to its effervescent founder Petra Wetzel.

Portfolio: Polugar’s back for the crown

Image: Poluga for Hot Rum Cow

Vodka is merely a pretender to Polugar’s throne. Controversial perhaps, but Boris Rodionov makes a strong case for Russia’s forgotten drink claiming the title of Russia’s national drink

It was supped by European kings and queens in the time of Ivan the Terrible, Dostoevsky, Chekhov and Peter the Great. It was cherished and distilled by Russia’s nobility and loved by their loyal subjects. But when column stills were introduced to Russia in the late 19th century, along with a state monopoly on booze, Polugar was exiled, condemned to a life of obscurity and banished to the history books.

Ready to rock

There is nothing quite like a bit of rock on a Sunday night. The American band, Rival Sons, took to the stage at the HMV Picture House last night and although I wasn't too familiar with their songs, I thought they were brilliant. They exuded talent and charisma - and the crowd were lapping it up.

Nosing around

                     

At 7 o'clock last night, my boyfriend and I decided to treat ourselves to an impromptu dinner at The Roamin' Nose. I threw on my trusty geometric trousers from Zara and paired them with a burgundy and grey spotted knit (I do love a good print clash) and electric blue high heels from H&M.