Why Can't I Focus on One Task at a Time?

[ks_physicist]

Not that this helps your stated problem, but I found the schematic of the MXR Distortion+ pedal to be really simple to make, and I actually like the sound a lot.

http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/MXRDIST2.GIF

 

[WarPhalange]

I was going to make a Fuzz Face like this:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/BearFace/BearFace.htm

Which is based off of this design:

http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

And it is simple enough, just that I don't remember what all those things do anymore when they are hooked up like that. Like, I remember what an op amp is and how a transistor works, but I want to know exactly what is going on in the schematic, so what the op amp is doing to the signal, what's the point of having Capacitor B at point X, etc.

 

[proton]

I don't remember when exactly I started being like this, but I do remember a time where I was different.

My problem is that I have a bunch of things I want to do and can't figure out what order to do them in or when, then literally have a brain fart and just not do anything.

Example: Last night. I decided I want to build a distortion pedal for my guitar after seeing some schematics and realizing it's easy and won't be too expensive. So naturally I want to start ordering parts. Then I realize I had forgotten a lot, so I busted out my electronics book. Then I realized I need to start studying for the GRE's, so I did a Google search for old tests, then I realized what's the point of having an effects pedal if I'm not playing? So I decided to start playing.

So I ended up spending my evening working over one chapter in my electronics textbook while constantly having other things on my mind and really not accomplishing much.

Stuff like this happens to me every day. Today I planned to play guitar, take a practice GRE, read up some more on electronics, and work out.

My time is spent just processing what I should do and when, and when I do decide to do something everything else is constantly on my mind.

While playing guitar: "Oh, I should be studying for the GRE. It's more important."
While studying: "Oh I know what song I want to learn next! How does it go...?"

Etc.

Anybody have or had a similar problem? How do I overcome this? It really eats up my days without me getting anywhere.

sounds just like me. maybe we both have adhd? i suspect that i may have adhd also because i have a very hard time concentrating on reading and often daydream. for instance, in an hour, I'm usually only able to read a few pages from a fairly easy book