Since childhood I've been a rather sensitive and justice-obsessed person, but also pretty interested in / attentive to the well-being and inner lives of other people. But I feel increasingly drained. In my field of work there is a lot of getting-ahead through nepotism/ingratiation rather than ability/ passion/effort, and it bothers me. In my life I have people whom I generally like and have opened up to, but who, at critical junctures, exhibit such self-absorption that I'm left feeling not only outraged but injured. I want to change the intensity and duration of my reaction to these things, as it's a huge waste of time, and sometimes upsets my own self-esteem. Please help me stop thinking about other people without becoming alienated and alienating.
posted by taramosalata on Nov 18, 2009 - 9 answers

Where are some good spots in public where I can get privacy? [more inside]
posted by bobertdude on Nov 15, 2009 - 32 answers

Does anyone have any experience with self-absorption/egocentricity? I've been noticing the fact that whenever I'm talking with others, I tend to bring the conversation around to myself. I keep telling myself not to talk about myself, but people ask questions and when they do I tend to fall for it every time. How do you make conversations with others and build friendships without talking about yourself? [more inside]
posted by Garden on Nov 14, 2009 - 23 answers

How do I stop noticing what everyone else is doing and concentrate on what I'm doing? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 4, 2009 - 5 answers

I can't or won't study. Please help me. [more inside]
posted by Ouisch on Oct 7, 2009 - 33 answers

are there legal substances that mimic (some of) the effects of cocaine? [more inside]
posted by krautland on Jul 30, 2009 - 31 answers

How can I extend my concentration for longer? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 22, 2009 - 12 answers

Why am I always soo tired?? [more inside]
posted by happydude123 on Jul 13, 2009 - 25 answers

What Nazi concentration camp should I visit near Dusseldorf? [more inside]
posted by grobstein on Jul 10, 2009 - 3 answers

My mind wanders too much. What's worked for you to make it stop? [more inside]
posted by jabronimus on Jun 3, 2009 - 23 answers

How can I focus when severely depressed? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 1, 2009 - 27 answers

Should I take nicorette gum for my ADHD? [more inside]
posted by sixcolors on Mar 16, 2009 - 22 answers

What is considered a reasonable amount of time to be able to concentrate on one task? [more inside]
posted by cranberrymonger on Feb 28, 2009 - 8 answers

I have the attention span of a gnat. [more inside]
posted by pseudostrabismus on Feb 28, 2009 - 20 answers

Lately I find myself using 5 hour energy product even when I'm not drowsy as it sees to significantly improve my ability to focus and socialize. Are there dietary supplements available that will give me the same effect in a more reliable manner? Is this safe? Will my body build a resistance to it? [more inside]
posted by Niomi on Dec 31, 2008 - 14 answers

With all the comings and goings of housemates, my home is a veritable mental aslyum at the moment and I am finding it impossible to study. I absolutely must complete a literature review for my Masters thesis this evening or I am dead. Does anyone know somewhere here in Barcelona that is quiet, cosey, conducive to study AND open until very late? Bonus points if they serve coffee and have wifi. [more inside]
posted by Zé Pequeno on Nov 26, 2008 - 1 answer

Measures of diversity / fragmentation / concentration for nonexclusive categories? [more inside]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe on Nov 15, 2008 - 10 answers

Help me concentrate better. [more inside]
posted by girlthursday on Nov 10, 2008 - 8 answers

How do you deal with a long compile time breaking your concentration? [more inside]
posted by ghost of a past number on Sep 28, 2008 - 10 answers

I have concentration, focus, work efficiency, and motivation issues. I am much more motivated at this point in my life than ever before, but working inefficiently and focus issues make it difficult to sustain. I am looking for lifestyle changes, mental exercises, diet changes, and maybe an inexpensive over-the-counter supplements to help sharpen my problem solving and information processing skills. [more inside]
posted by Niomi on Aug 21, 2008 - 16 answers

Does loud, distinctly heard cheering (not general crowd roar) "work"? Is it at least benign? [more inside]
posted by BaxterG4 on Aug 9, 2008 - 23 answers

I'm looking for a morning routine to start my daily writing tasks (i.e. dissertation). The routine needs to be home-based, include a moderate exercise routine, shower and breakfast. The aim is to get me feeling heathly and eager to start a long day of creative concentration. [more inside]
posted by vizsla on Jun 2, 2008 - 8 answers

Why does a lack of sleep make me markedly more efficient the next day? [more inside]
posted by freya_lamb on May 28, 2008 - 20 answers

How do I get back into the mental groove? Got any tips on how to get back my focus and get things done when I've been thoroughly distracted and just can't get back into it? [more inside]
posted by cgg on Jan 30, 2008 - 11 answers

I want to improve my reading and comprehension concentration for a few hours at a time using drugs/chemicals/foods only. Yes I believe you that meditation and exercise are the ideal solutions but I just want to be my usual averagely healthy self when Im not concentrating. I also don't care about negative short-term after-effects. [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Sep 15, 2007 - 13 answers

Help me rejuvenate my mind! Are the Posit Science or Brain Fit programs of any real use to a (maybe below par) 50 year old? Are there any other worthwhile books or exercises to help sharpen up my memory, attentiveness, concentration and aliveness? [more inside]
posted by DarkForest on Apr 5, 2007 - 10 answers

Therapy or bootstraps? I have no friends beyond immediate family and online acquaintances. I can't clean house or do my home-based job because I get distracted -- by surfing the Net, even though it gets boring and I get less and less pleasure from it, by eating, by walking around the house, or by doing anything but the productive work I know I need to do to be happy. I have a very difficult time even reading a complete book, and I have always been an avid reader. And I have almost completely starved the creative part of myself. I have almost nothing to show for my life over the past twenty years. [more inside]
posted by rosemere on Apr 2, 2007 - 19 answers

How to refresh your mind during a study break? [more inside]
posted by giggleknickers on Mar 8, 2007 - 29 answers

I am looking for a small device that I can either wear or carry in my pocket that will beep, ring, and/or vibrate at a pre-set interval. (I'm thinking every 15 minutes.) I am an easily distracted individual, and I think that this would help me focus on what I should be doing at the moment.
posted by qvtqht on Jan 10, 2007 - 13 answers

How can I learn to work without medication? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 1, 2007 - 28 answers

What is NADH, does it work, is it safe to use? [more inside]
posted by youthenrage on Jul 12, 2006 - 19 answers

I used to concentrate during lectures, seminars, and meetings by taking copious notes on what was said. While this worked well, I now have a wrist injury that makes doing so undesirable. What are some good ways to keep concentrating?
posted by grouse on Mar 14, 2006 - 18 answers

How to reset my brain after long reading sessions. [more inside]
posted by Zosia Blue on Mar 2, 2006 - 37 answers

Why do we look upwards or into the distance when trying to recall something, answer a difficult question or solve a puzzle? This arose from a word game we were playing in the office, during which I pointed out that those taking part were all displaying this behavior. Best guess was that it was perhaps some instinctive thing - automatically scanning the horizon for predators or prey whilst engaged in another task.
posted by Dr Phibes on Feb 25, 2006 - 16 answers

Help me drown out the world. [more inside]
posted by knave on Sep 12, 2005 - 15 answers

I'm only 30, yet I find that my memory, concentration, and ability to focus ("tunnel vision") aren't near as sharp as they were five or ten years ago. What do you do to retain or improve your mental abilities as you get older? [more inside]
posted by mrbill on Mar 23, 2005 - 27 answers

I used to be able to read for hours. Now I'm lucky if I can read for ten minutes before checking my e-mail. What to do? [more inside]
posted by trey on Mar 11, 2005 - 29 answers