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When distraction isn’t harmless: a reflection on driving, thinking, and attention

Once in a while, someone arrives for coaching… in their car.

They suggest we go ahead anyway. They’re driving, but it’s 'hands-free', so ‘it should be fine’, they say.

It’s an immediate no from me.

Not just because of safety, but because of what coaching asks of us. Coaching requires presence, reflection, and the ability to think beneath the surface. That’s hard to access when part of your attention is on traffic, junctions, and reacting in real time.

But this raises a broader question.

If coaching while driving feels like a clear 'no'… what about all the other conversations we have on the road?

Meetings. Catch-ups. 'Quick calls' that fill the gaps between places.

They can feel efficient. Productive, even.

But are we really fully present for either task?

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A personal turning point

In 2021, I was knocked off my road bike by a driver who pulled onto a roundabout without giving way. At the time, I thought I was 'fine.'

Later, I wasn’t.

I experienced severe, long-term concussion symptoms that affected my life in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Recovery was slow and, at times, deeply frustrating. Alongside that came a long and drawn-out legal process that took over three years to resolve.

I don’t share this for sympathy. I share it because it changed how I see attention.

I don’t know exactly what distracted that driver. I can’t say with certainty that it was a phone call or conversation. What I do know is that something took their attention away at the wrong moment.

And that was enough.

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What we think we can do vs. what we actually can

Since then, I’ve become more aware of how easily our attention fragments.

Research suggests that even hands-free conversations while driving reduce our ability to fully focus on the road. (If you’re interested, it’s worth exploring studies on cognitive load and driving distraction, for example here.)

We tend to believe we can 'multi-task.'

In reality, we are task-switching—rapidly shifting attention between two demands. Each switch carries a cost.

When driving, those costs matter.

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A shift in how I show up

These days, I’m cautious.

I don’t take calls while driving—not even informal ones. I won’t hold meetings if I know someone is on the road. And I’ve found myself reflecting more broadly on where else this shows up in life.

Where do we split our attention and call it efficiency?

Where are we physically present, but cognitively elsewhere?

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A gentle challenge

If you sometimes take calls or meetings while driving, you’re not alone.

But it might be worth asking:

• What am I trading off here?
• Am I fully present for either the conversation or the road?
• What would it look like to create clearer boundaries instead?

And what else do you 'multi-task' at, that could be counter-productive?

For me, this links closely to my MOT4U and TRAVEL model thinking—small moments of reflection that help us check how we’re really operating, not just how busy we are.

This might be one of those moments.

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What are your thoughts? Have your habits around this changed at all?

Sheela Hobden

www.bluegreencoaching.com

May 2026

Image appreciation to:

​Noel Hobden Photography

Quick FAQ about Distraction:

Q: Why do I feel so distracted even when I’m trying to focus?​
Often, distraction isn’t just about external interruptions—it’s a sign your mind is holding too many things at once. When everything feels important, it’s hard to prioritise. Coaching helps you untangle that mental load by exploring what’s actually relevant, what can wait, and what may not matter as much as it feels in the moment.

Q: How does coaching help with mental overload?​
Coaching supports you to get to the crux of what’s on your mind. Rather than circling around multiple thoughts, a coach will help you clarify the core issue or decision. This process reduces cognitive overload, making it easier to focus your energy and attention on one meaningful area at a time.

Q: Can coaching help me understand what’s truly important to me?​
Yes. A key part of coaching is helping you explore your values—what genuinely matters to you, not just what feels urgent or expected. When you’re clearer on your values, it becomes easier to direct your attention intentionally, rather than being pulled in multiple directions.

Q: What’s the link between attention, values, and focus?​
Where your attention goes is often influenced by what you believe matters. If your values aren’t clear, your focus can become scattered across competing demands. Coaching helps you define what’s important, so you can align your attention with it—leading to more consistent focus and more meaningful action

Contact Sheela Hobden at www.bluegreencoaching.com.