## 18 A Concentration Problem

This month, I taught some of my new colleagues how to use a measuring instrument to perform metrological checks. Compared to 3D measurements, it's not very complicated, but it's very different from what they used to do. One of my colleagues has a different problem compared to the others. He is serious, motivated, and diligent; he takes notes and understands what he is doing. However, when I had to decide if he was "mature" enough to work independently last week, I found it very difficult after only ten minutes. He seemed lost among all the buttons, functions, and numbers. Five minutes earlier, everything seemed okay. What's going on?

To me, he was like a child during an exam: panic mode activated. I tried to leave him alone. But he was still lost. I told him to take a break, leave the room, breathe, and then come back. That helped a little. I spoke with him and told him that I knew he was okay and didn't need to panic. I also spoke with another colleague who has known him for years. I knew he had problems with the former chief of the service and that he sometimes makes mistakes with 3D benches. He seems to have problems with concentration and is forgetful and absent-minded. Apart from political subjects, he's a good guy, but I don't know how to deal with him.

I had a former colleague who experienced problems with concentration and memory after a heart attack. Admitting that you have these problems is very difficult. It's a matter of pride and the feeling of aging. They are or were in their 50s. I'm also in my 50s, and I know that things don't work the way they used to in my mind and body. That's life. My colleague loves sports and cycles a lot. He's fit, but maybe it's difficult for him to admit to this problem. I'm looking for exercises to improve it. I should mention that he doesn't always look at his smartphone or other devices while he's working. Screens are often blamed for lack of concentration, but they aren't the only reason.

When I was a teenager, I had a friend who always did well in gym class. But when it came to exams or periodic classroom checks, he struggled. He didn't pursue higher education and found a good job after only earning his baccalaureate. He didn't have these problems when we played together on the PC, Amiga, etc. For me, playing video games for a long time is also a problem of concentration, especially with racing games and karting in real life. There's no problem with Mario Kart because the races are short. But with a real-time Grand Prix or endurance in Gran Turismo II, I sometimes made mistakes during one or two laps. I always make a mistake on one curve.

When I write a post for the blog, I try to focus on the subject. It's always better because the words come without interruption, without questions about the meaning or translation of a French word. I focus on thinking in English and nothing else. It's the same when I write a review in French on the other blog. I immerse myself in the subject, whether it's a movie or music. When I read a book, I also have to concentrate to immerse myself in the story. Sometimes, I can't manage to do that, and it's torture. Of course, it's more difficult when you have problems with vocabulary, translation, or technical issues. My inability to do so is not always a matter of motivation. Sometimes I'm completely immersed in the author's ideas. I think more about dealing with that than about the story.

Concentration is also a matter of self-confidence. As for my colleague, I'm not sure if he's self-confident. With his former boss who humiliated him, he has a lot of work to do. I hope to find tools or strategies to help him improve, and I'm sure he will adapt to this new world, as I must do for myself. Some people love challenges; others don't. I must focus on their strengths to overcome their weaknesses.

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