When Being “Scattered” Isn’t a Flaw — It’s Awareness
I need to say something out loud — partly for myself, and maybe for someone else who needs to hear it too.
For a long time, I’ve told myself I’d do better and get more done if I wasn’t so ADD… so scattered.
Like there was something about me that needed correcting before I could really succeed at this.
But today I realized something that stopped me in my tracks.
What if I’m not unfocused at all? What if I just have too much awareness at once?
Some minds don’t move in straight lines. They move in connections. In intuition. In meaning and vision.
And when that kind of mind sits down in front of WordPress dashboards, settings, plugins, and a million tiny decisions… it doesn’t shut down because it’s incapable.
It shuts down because it’s overloaded.
When I’m “stuck,” my brain isn’t being lazy.
It’s trying to create, problem-solve, remember steps, make decisions, and regulate emotions — all at the same time.
No wonder it feels heavy.
Here’s the shift that changed everything for me today:
I don’t need to fix myself. I need to stop forcing my brain into systems that exhaust it.
I don’t need longer workdays or more discipline.
I need shorter sprints. One task I can see. Permission to pause and come back. Momentum instead of perfection.
Being scattered doesn’t mean incapable.
Often it means intuitive. Idea-rich. Vision-driven.
And those kinds of minds don’t need criticism — they need containment.
If you’ve ever felt like you “should be further along” or wondered why something that matters so much can feel so hard… you’re not broken.
You’re building something meaningful.
I’m curious — have you ever learned something unexpected about how your mind works while building here in Wealthy Affiliate?
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Recent Comments
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What if the “lack of focus” is a blessing,
because it covers a LOT of different areas?
What if it’s not the “lack of focus” but actually not having a “focal POINT”?
(Target Market Audience aligned with a Target Product or Service)
What would happen if a “funnel spout” was not placed inside the mouth of the bottle?
Brad, I love how you framed this!
That difference between a lack of focus and a lack of a focal point really resonates.
It’s totally what I struggle with and what I need to work on!
Wide awareness isn’t the problem — it just needs direction. Once there’s clarity around who you’re serving and how, that same awareness becomes a strength instead of a distraction.
The funnel analogy is spot on.
Thank you!
Jenn
Yes and no, Jen.
Teri reads aloud.
John Maluth always offers helpful truth.
The phrase "When Being 'Scattered' Isn't a Flaw — It's Awareness" isn't a direct Seneca quote, but it echoes Stoic ideas: your "scattered" mind isn't failure, but awareness of many possibilities, a sign of self-knowledge, allowing you to focus, act with purpose, and avoid reacting blindly, which is key to living intentionally and wisely.
Instead of being lost in many thoughts (scattered), a wise person uses awareness to discern, choose focus, and master their inner world, turning potential distraction into purposeful action.
Are you familiar with the Stoics?
The Stoics were ancient Greek and Roman philosophers who founded a practical philosophy focused on living a virtuous, rational, and resilient life, aiming for inner peace (eudaimonia) by focusing on what's controllable, accepting fate, and cultivating virtues like wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. Key figures include Zeno of Citium (founder), Seneca, Epictetus, and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who taught that harmful emotions stem from false judgments and can be overcome through reason and self-control.
Virtue is the Supreme Good: Living virtuously (wisdom, justice, courage, temperance) is the only true good and path to happiness, not external things like wealth or fame.
Control vs. No Control: Distinguish between what you can control (your thoughts, actions, judgments) and what you can't (external events, other people's actions), focusing energy only on the former.
Live According to Nature: The universe is governed by reason (logos); living in harmony with nature means living rationally and fulfilling your role in the cosmic order.
Reason & Self-Control: Use reason to understand the world, correct false beliefs that cause negative emotions (fear, anger), and develop emotional resilience.
Duty & Community: Stoics believed in participating in human affairs and treating others fairly, recognizing our shared humanity.
I mean only good intentions, Jen.
Does this help?
Yes 🤔 I understand what you’re pointing to. Awareness becomes wisdom when it’s guided by discernment and intention rather than reaction.
I appreciate the Stoic lens you’re offering here — it helps clarify the difference between being aware of many things and choosing where to direct that awareness. Thank you for sharing this.
Jenn
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Hi Jennifer, You made me laugh. I could identify with a brain that has a million things going at the same.
For me however, I do two things.
1 - I tell myself God (yes I believe in Jesus) made me so.
2- I forgive myself everyday for not fulfilling my full potential.
There's a song by Human League which says 'I'm only Human, flesh and blood, A man. I'm only Human, born to make mistakes'
I don't worry too much about yesterdays, they are gone. I live in today, yet still plan for tomorrow.
Just saying ^_^ Cheers