--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Other people's interruptions of your work…" description: "\"Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively insignificant compared with the countless times you interrupt yourself.\" — Brendan Behan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png" --- # Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively… ![“Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively insignificant compared with the countless times you interrupt yourself.” quote by Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png) > “Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively insignificant compared with the countless times you interrupt yourself.” [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑disruption outweighs external interruptions, highlighting the importance of internal focus. **In simple terms:** Your own interruptions are more harmful than others'. Key Takeaway Control inner habits. Themes self‑awareness productivity focus Mood reflective motivational Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - creative projects - studying - personal development Key Concepts psychology habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How often do you interrupt yourself? - What strategies can reduce self‑interruptions? A Different Perspective External interruptions are still disruptive and may compound the issue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concentration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentration/) [Insignificant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insignificant/) [Insignificant Compared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insignificant-compared-242311/) [Interruptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interruptions/) [Interruptions Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interruptions-work-2154050/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Interruptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-interruptions-5560300/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Times Interrupt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/times-interrupt-5560301/) ## Related quotes > [My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered that my interruptions were my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/my-whole-life-i-have-been-complaining-that-my-work-was-constantly/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [A few years ago I met an old professor at the University of Notre Dame. Looking back on his long life of teaching, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/a-few-years-ago-i-met-an-old-professor-at-the-university-of-notre/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“Everything that happens from the tee to that 120-yard range is almost insignificant compared with what happens thereafter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-rotella/everything-that-happens-from-the-tee-to-that-120-yard-range-is-almost/) [Bob Rotella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-rotella/) > [In my opinion, all previous advances in the various lines of invention will appear totally insignificant when compared with those which the present century…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-holland-duell/in-my-opinion-all-previous-advances-in-the-various-lines-of-invention/) [Charles Holland Duell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-holland-duell/) > [Individual glory is insignificant when compared to achieving victory as a team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dot-richardson/individual-glory-is-insignificant-when-compared-to-achieving-victory/) [Dot Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dot-richardson/) > [The body's pain is so paper-thin and insignificant compared to that of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-body-s-pain-is-so-paper-thin-and-insignificant-compared-to-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I did not kill my father, but I sometimes felt I had helped him on his way. And but for the fact that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-did-not-kill-my-father-but-i-sometimes-felt-i-had-helped-him-on-his/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“No matter what happened yesterday it is insignificant when compared to what lies within the core of your being today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-brewer/no-matter-what-happened-yesterday-it-is-insignificant-when-compared/) [Sandy Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandy-brewer/) > [Stop attaching so much weight to being right. In the grand scheme of things, being right is insignificant compared with being happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/stop-attaching-so-much-weight-to-being-right-in-the-grand-scheme-of/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Have you ever noticed that life consists mostly of interruptions, with occasional spells of rush work in between?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buwei-yang-chao/have-you-ever-noticed-that-life-consists-mostly-of-interruptions-with/) [Buwei Yang Chao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buwei-yang-chao/) > [Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/circumstances-may-cause-interruptions-and-delays-but-never-lose-sight/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [... programming requires more concentration than other activities. It's the reason programmers get upset about 'quick interruptions' - such interruptions are tantamount to asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcconnell/programming-requires-more-concentration-than-other-activities-it-s/) [Steve McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcconnell/) > [Establish an atmosphere that energizes you. Some creative people flourish in confusion; others need to be free from interruption. Many prepare themselves for work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-leland/establish-an-atmosphere-that-energizes-you-some-creative-people/) [Nita Leland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-leland/) > [I relish the time I have when there are no interruptions. Most often the best time for writing is late at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franny-armstrong/i-relish-the-time-i-have-when-there-are-no-interruptions-most-often/) [Franny Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franny-armstrong/) ## More by Brendan Behan > [Many a man has decided to stay alive not because of the will to live but because of the determination not to give assorted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/many-a-man-has-decided-to-stay-alive-not-because-of-the-will-to-live/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [Pound notes are the best religion in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/pound-notes-are-the-best-religion-in-the-world/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [“It's a queer world, God knows, but the best we have to be going on with.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/it-s-a-queer-world-god-knows-but-the-best-we-have-to-be-going-on-with/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [There is no human situation so miserable that it cannot be made worse by the presence of a policeman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/there-is-no-human-situation-so-miserable-that-it-cannot-be-made-worse/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [I have a total irreverence for anything connected with society except that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/i-have-a-total-irreverence-for-anything-connected-with-society-except/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [I ruined my health drinking to other people's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/i-ruined-my-health-drinking-to-other-people-s/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [“I respect kindness in human beings first of all, and kindness to animals. I don't respect the law; I have a total irreverence for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/i-respect-kindness-in-human-beings-first-of-all-and-kindness-to/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [Other people have a nationality. The Irish and the Jews have a psychosis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/other-people-have-a-nationality-the-irish-and-the-jews-have-a/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/there-is-no-such-thing-as-bad-publicity-except-your-own-obituary/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [There's no bad publicity except an obituary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/there-s-no-bad-publicity-except-an-obituary/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [The big difference between sex for money and sex for free is that sex for money usually costs a lot less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/the-big-difference-between-sex-for-money-and-sex-for-free-is-that-sex/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [I saw a notice which said, 'Drink Canada Dry' and I've just started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/i-saw-a-notice-which-said-drink-canada-dry-and-i-ve-just-started/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [All publicity is good, except an obituary notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/all-publicity-is-good-except-an-obituary-notice/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [Whatever you hold in contempt is your jailer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/whatever-you-hold-in-contempt-is-your-jailer/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [Message? What the hell do you think I am, a bloody postman?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/message-what-the-hell-do-you-think-i-am-a-bloody-postman/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) [Explore all 77 Brendan Behan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) ## More Concentration quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [It is a good practice to write at least on page of mantra daily. Many people get better concentration by writing than by chanting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/it-is-a-good-practice-to-write-at-least-on-page-of-mantra-daily-many/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [“Exceptional work is always associated with periods of deep concentration. Nothing excellent ever comes from a scattered effort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-horsley/exceptional-work-is-always-associated-with-periods-of-deep/) [Kevin Horsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-horsley/) > [Mental attitude and concentration are the keys to pitching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferguson-jenkins/mental-attitude-and-concentration-are-the-keys-to-pitching/) [Ferguson Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferguson-jenkins/) > [The essence of the stage is concentration and penetration. Of the screen action, movement, sweep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/the-essence-of-the-stage-is-concentration-and-penetration-of-the/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [I can let go of a lot of stuff, but I focus on things I think I should, like dancing, because it takes 100…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuan-yuan-tan/i-can-let-go-of-a-lot-of-stuff-but-i-focus-on-things-i-think-i-should/) [Yuan Yuan Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuan-yuan-tan/) > [“Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/apply-the-blacksmith-s-homely-principle-when-you-are-speaking-if-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Mindfulness develops attention, concentration and the ability to simply be present with little or no future orientation, past orientation or goal orientation—choosing to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-gawler/mindfulness-develops-attention-concentration-and-the-ability-to/) [Ian Gawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-gawler/) > [So too, monks, I saw the ancient path, the ancient road traveled by the Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past. And what is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/so-too-monks-i-saw-the-ancient-path-the-ancient-road-traveled-by-the/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Recently a study proved that working from a larger, less cluttered computer screen increases concentration. I could have told them that. And yes, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/recently-a-study-proved-that-working-from-a-larger-less-cluttered/) [Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/) > [If writing with a goal - whether it be evangelistic, apologetic, or didactic - implies propaganda, then all recorded history is propaganda. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/if-writing-with-a-goal-whether-it-be-evangelistic-apologetic-or/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [... programming requires more concentration than other activities. It's the reason programmers get upset about 'quick interruptions' - such interruptions are tantamount to asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mcconnell/programming-requires-more-concentration-than-other-activities-it-s/) [Steve McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mcconnell/) > [Any piece of knowledge which the pupil has himself acquired- any problem which he has himself solved, becomes, by virtue of the conquest, much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/any-piece-of-knowledge-which-the-pupil-has-himself-acquired-any/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [Our mind is a flowing something. It oscillates. Concentration is merely the continuous return to the same problem from a million angles… So my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-laubach/our-mind-is-a-flowing-something-it-oscillates-concentration-is-merely/) [Frank Laubach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-laubach/) [Browse all 1,154 Concentration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concentration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively insignificant compared with the countless times you interrupt yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brendan Behan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-work-are-relatively/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Concentration" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-work-are-relatively/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/brendan-behan-8832_concentration_other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-wor_3134895.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Other people's interruptions of your work are relatively insignificant compared with the countless times you…” — Brendan Behan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brendan Behan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Other people's interruptions of your work...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-work-are-relatively/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/other-people-s-interruptions-of-your-work-are-relatively/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```