# How do I learn to ...ooooh..look...pretty! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 15, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506 "2005-04-15T17:28:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/1 "2005-04-15T17:28:39Z")
Focus? I realize that by asking the most distracted people on the net is going to be interesting, but my ability to focus, I’ve noticed, is total poo. What’s the news on Strattera? ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/2 "2005-04-15T18:06:13Z")
Sorry, I can’t help you there! I’m not very focused. I’m easily distracted by shiny things. One of my favorite phrases is “Ooooooh, shiny!” Maybe I need some of that Strattera, too. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/3 "2005-04-15T18:11:21Z")
Heres’ how focused _I_ am; I thought this was going to be about how to look pretty. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![carlotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/4 "2005-04-15T21:15:40Z")
Mostly what I do is accept that I will have to do any task requiring focus in small increments. So if there’s a book I need to get read, I’ll set the timer and read it for 15 minutes twice a day, or something like that. With housework, I’ll often alternate between two jobs, like dishwashing and laundry folding, but this runs the risk of getting distracted and forgetting that I’m supposed to go back to the kitchen, and instead starting some other task that won’t get finished. A timer helps here too. I need to get the kind you can clip onto your clothes. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/5 "2005-04-15T21:42:13Z")
I’ve discovered that my new cell phone has an alarm feature on it. Not only for AM wake up’s but in 10minutes-30 minutes-60minutes and three hours increments. I used it today at the fabric store…ooooohhhhhhh pretty, pretty fabric…where I just needed to look at one thing that wasn’t pretty…pretty…crack covered fabric…what the hell did I need…anyways? I can’t remember now. .that I cannot resist…did I mention it is sooooo pretty? I was out of there in 10 minutes and I didn’t buy one thing. I’ve.never.done.that.before. I think it is illegal to leave a fabric store without buying something. I did it at Costco too. Which was good. Since in under 45 minutes, I blew $310 on stuff I needed and made it back with one minute to spare to pick up my daughter from preschool. It helped keep me semi focused. > [@](#): > > Heres’ how focused I am; I thought this was going to be about how to look pretty. Scattered brain and vain. Welcome to the club! ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/6 "2005-04-15T21:49:10Z")
I’m sorry, what were we talking about? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/7 "2005-04-15T22:17:29Z")
How pretty NinetyWt is. ---
**Author:** ![meanoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@meanoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanoldman)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/8 "2005-04-15T23:23:42Z")
Marry well. My wife’s entire family can’t focus for diddle. I think I am a laid back sorta guy, but their lack of focus drives me nuts. I am fairly regularly reminding any of them to return to task…especially when they gather for something requiring a group decision. What works for me is to try very hard to keep in mind “why” somebody finds this important. It is not just me alone in the world, but lots of folks, and some of those folks want me to focus on ‘xyz’ and finish it, or else it’ll cause them problems. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/9 "2005-04-16T00:24:39Z")
I used to be able to focus, but now I find it harder to do so. Not sure if it’s due to old age, or just having more responsibilities constantly distracting me… ---
**Author:** ![Stillwell\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@Stillwell\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stillwell_Angel)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/10 "2005-04-16T00:27:09Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > Heres’ how focused _I_ am; I thought this was going to be about how to look pretty. > > :smack: Me too. I came in here to see if there were any good make-up tips… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/11 "2005-04-16T00:51:46Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > What’s the news on Strattera? Have you seen the ad with the woman at the meeting? You get to see what’s flashing through her mind. I can understand the images: yelling boss, kids playing, flowers, a giant rabbit, traffic, A giant rabbit? WTF? Is she hallucinating, too? ---
**Author:** ![Sarah\_Woodruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sarah\_Woodruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah_Woodruff)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/12 "2005-04-16T01:00:17Z")
Sheer bloody will-power, unfortunately. Or sheer terror inspired by a looming deadline/exam. Only things that…oh, look at that puppy!..work for me. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/13 "2005-04-16T02:09:34Z")
I’m not easily distracted! I’m not! Ooooooh cool…thingy! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/14 "2005-04-16T03:07:44Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > What’s the news on Strattera? [Insert caveats about asking for medical advice on the Internet] I was on Strattera for a while but eventually gave it up because of the side effects I got. Yes, it did help with the ability to focus, and one of the side effects was cool (it killed my appetite, and lord knows I needed to lose weight)…but it also left me feeling kinda dazed, and it made me sweat a _lot_. (It was very, very gross.) There have also been a lot of complaints about sexual side effects in men, but I don’t know about the effects on women. If you’re looking for hints on organization, you might want to start with [ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1583913580/qid=1113620841/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-0011568-5117579) or [You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684815311/qid=1113620886/sr=12-1/104-0011568-5117579?v=glance&s=books) (I prefer the former, but a lot of people like the latter too). ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/15 "2005-04-16T04:08:40Z")
> [@meanoldman](#): > > Marry well. > > . . . . I think I am a laid back sorta guy, but their lack of focus drives me nuts. I am fairly regularly reminding any of them to return to task…especially when they gather for something requiring a group decision. > > . . . . It is not just me alone in the world, but lots of folks, . . . . Now I get you screenname. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/16 "2005-04-16T04:10:53Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > Now I get you screenname. That’s “youR screenname”, I get youR screenname." :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/17 "2005-04-16T04:18:39Z")
I day dream a lot, if that counts as not being focused. I can’t help but dream about running through the field with lots of bunnies while I try to focus on my work. If I focus on something for something for a long time I feel like I’m missing out on some day dreaming. That is why I enjoy long car trips because all I have to do is sit in the car and space out for hours. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgonzola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e480ec/32.png) [@Gorgonzola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgonzola)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/18 "2005-04-16T04:26:59Z")
Hmmm, how to focus and grind away 'til a thing is done, whenever a thing needs doing. It’s my one great skill, and I have very few, so I treasure it. Here’s how it works: If I know something needs doing (and my threshold for “needs doing” is “should really be done sometime this season”), I feel great and unwavering anxiety until it is done. Today is best, this week is tolerable. It is my experience that anxiety helps to create focus. People who are good at focusing tend to be anxious people. This is not always good for the person. It’s very good for whatever needs doing, however. ---
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/19 "2005-04-16T06:31:25Z")
> [@Gorgonzola](#): > > It is my experience that anxiety helps to create focus. People who are good at focusing tend to be anxious people. This is not always good for the person. It’s very good for whatever needs doing, however. That’s not my experience at all. In fact, I’m completely the opposite. For me, being anxious makes it even harder to concentrate at what I’m doing, and I’m more likely to be able to focus if I’m in a serene, worry-free state of mind. But it’s quite possible that I am very strange. ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506/20 "2005-04-17T02:23:02Z")
Sounds like you’ve got a very serious case of ADHISS. Attention Deficit Hey It’s Something Shiny! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-learn-to-ooooh-look-pretty/299506.md?page=2)