--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My ideas sometimes get the better of me…" description: "\"My ideas sometimes get the better of me. Before I clearly explain one, another comes to mind and seizes my attention…\" — Ellen Langer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/ellen-langer-23571_attention_my-ideas-sometimes-get-the-better-of-me_2535788.png" --- # My ideas sometimes get the better of me. Before I clearly… ![“My ideas sometimes get the better of me. Before I clearly explain one, another comes to mind and seizes my attention…” quote by Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/ellen-langer-23571_attention_my-ideas-sometimes-get-the-better-of-me_2535788.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/ellen-langer-23571_attention_my-ideas-sometimes-get-the-better-of-me_2535788.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/ellen-langer-23571_attention_my-ideas-sometimes-get-the-better-of-me_2535788.png) > “My ideas sometimes get the better of me. Before I clearly explain one, another comes to mind and seizes my attention…” [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker notes that their thoughts often overtake their explanations, leading to rapid idea shifts and distraction. **In simple terms:** Ideas can overwhelm and distract. Key Takeaway Practice focused articulation. Themes cognition mindfulness distraction Mood reflective thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - writing - teaching - brainstorming Key Concepts attention control thought processes Questions to Reflect On - How can you train sustained focus? - What strategies keep you from jumping between ideas? A Different Perspective Mindfulness requires discipline to stay on track. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Comes Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comes-mind-346844/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ideas Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas-better-529205/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Seizes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-seizes-1387482/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Seizes Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seizes-attention-1387483/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) ## Related quotes > [Let every student of nature take this as his rule, that whatever the mind seizes upon with particular satisfaction is to be held in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/let-every-student-of-nature-take-this-as-his-rule-that-whatever-the/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“Let every student of nature take this as a rule,-- that whatever his mind seizes and dwells upon with peculiar satisfaction is to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/let-every-student-of-nature-take-this-as-a-rule-that-whatever-his/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [Great ideas get even better when you share them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loesje/great-ideas-get-even-better-when-you-share-them/) [Loesje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loesje/) > [The only sure weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-sure-weapon-against-bad-ideas-is-better-ideas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the realm of ideas, it is better to let the mind sally forth, even if some precious preconceptions suffer a mauling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-goheen/in-the-realm-of-ideas-it-is-better-to-let-the-mind-sally-forth-even/) [Robert F. Goheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-goheen/) > [A lot of problems get solved in those sort of in-between moments when your subconscious has been working on some problem. If you keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sean-greer/a-lot-of-problems-get-solved-in-those-sort-of-in-between-moments-when/) [Andrew Sean Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sean-greer/) > [Pouring out ideas is better for creativity than doling them out by the teaspoon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/pouring-out-ideas-is-better-for-creativity-than-doling-them-out-by/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [You get ideas across better through listening and the pat-on-the-back method than you do with a kick on the pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/you-get-ideas-across-better-through-listening-and-the-pat-on-the-back/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [I actually think it doesn't even matter what age you are or what sex - though that does play into it sometimes - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charli-xcx/i-actually-think-it-doesn-t-even-matter-what-age-you-are-or-what-sex/) [Charli XCX](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charli-xcx/) > [“Brainstorming had four rules: 1. Don’t judge or criticize ideas. 2. Be freewheeling. The wilder the idea, the better. 3. Go for quantity. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/brainstorming-had-four-rules-1-don-t-judge-or-criticize-ideas-2-be/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [My ideas are always better. We have an understanding in place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-ideas-are-always-better-we-have-an-understanding-in-place/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The need to be right all the time is the biggest bar to new ideas. It is better to have enough ideas for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/the-need-to-be-right-all-the-time-is-the-biggest-bar-to-new-ideas-it/) [Edward De Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Two heads are definitely better than one and by sourcing ideas from each other, you have a better chance of coming up with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/two-heads-are-definitely-better-than-one-and-by-sourcing-ideas-from/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/as-you-navigate-through-the-rest-of-your-life-be-open-to/) [Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/) > [When you're a teenager with a creative mind, be as creative as possible. I'd rather you go nuts. Having more ideas is always better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-siriano/when-you-re-a-teenager-with-a-creative-mind-be-as-creative-as/) [Christian Siriano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-siriano/) ## More by Ellen Langer > [Out of the questions of students come most of the creative ideas and discoveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/out-of-the-questions-of-students-come-most-of-the-creative-ideas-and/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [What we have learned to look for in a situation determines mostly what we see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/what-we-have-learned-to-look-for-in-a-situation-determines-mostly/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [If we respect students abilities to define their own experiences, to generate their own hypotheses, and to discover new ways of categorizing the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/if-we-respect-students-abilities-to-define-their-own-experiences-to/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Stress is a function not of events, but of our view of those events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/stress-is-a-function-not-of-events-but-of-our-view-of-those-events/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Mindfulness is the cure for everything; the essence of being alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/mindfulness-is-the-cure-for-everything-the-essence-of-being-alive/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Once you've seen there is another perspective, you can never not see that there's another point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/once-you-ve-seen-there-is-another-perspective-you-can-never-not-see/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [There is always a step small enough from where we are to get us to where we want to be. If we take that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/there-is-always-a-step-small-enough-from-where-we-are-to-get-us-to/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [“The same situation of stimulus called by a different name is a different stimulus. Roller coasters are fun but bumpy plane rides are not!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/the-same-situation-of-stimulus-called-by-a-different-name-is-a/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Wherever you put the mind, the body will follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/wherever-you-put-the-mind-the-body-will-follow/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Certainty is a cruel mindset. It hardens our minds against possibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/certainty-is-a-cruel-mindset-it-hardens-our-minds-against-possibility/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [When people are not in the moment, they're not there to know that they're not there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/when-people-are-not-in-the-moment-they-re-not-there-to-know-that-they/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Virtually all of life's ills boil down to mindlessness. If you can understand someone else's perspective, then there's no reason to be angry at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/virtually-all-of-life-s-ills-boil-down-to-mindlessness-if-you-can/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [In the perspective of every person lies a lens through which we may better understand ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/in-the-perspective-of-every-person-lies-a-lens-through-which-we-may/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [We should open ourselves to the impossible and embrace a psychology of possibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/we-should-open-ourselves-to-the-impossible-and-embrace-a-psychology/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) > [Life consists only of moments, nothing more than that. So if you make the moment matter, it all matters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-langer/life-consists-only-of-moments-nothing-more-than-that-so-if-you-make/) [Ellen Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) [Explore all 25 Ellen Langer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-langer/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My ideas sometimes get the better of me. 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