Don’t have too many distractions in life
There are different types of distractions – some are more welcome than others. Sometimes we invite them to avoid doing what is most important. Other distractions are not so welcome and interrupt us when we are focussed and take us from the task at hand. We can allow this to irritate us which only compounds the problem.
This is a great time of year for distraction with so many things to do and places to be. Distraction has its own appeal–It can stop us from feeling bad temporarily. This is beneficial when we are down as long as the distraction is not harmful and brings us into positive territory emotionally or mentally. In most cases, distraction however attractive it seems is merely a poor use of our valuable time.
It is so easy to distract ourselves from what is important by filling up our diaries and our minds with things that are nice to do, but do not satisfy or benefit us or others in any meaningful way.
We can become easily distracted by so many things – Television, what is going on in other people’s lives, what is going on in the world, internet surfing, newspapers, magazines, worrying about what might or might not happen, social media, spending too long on the phone, spending a lot of time looking forward to events in the distant future. The list is endless.
How we spend our time today should add value to our or other people’s day. Time is our greatest asset and how we spend it is an investment. Are you investing your time in something that is enjoyable, growing you as a person, improving your life today or your future? Or are you just passing time?
When an opportunity to do something shows up, it is helpful to ask yourself; Is this the best use of my time in this moment? Will it solve a problem? Will it move me forward?
It is important to remain grounded in your own reality and focus your time on what is a priority to you every day. Growth needs continued effort and attention.
As I have said in recent weeks in this column, this is a key time of year. It is the time of year we have most natural energy to do things and get things done. But it is also the time of year where we can be most easily distracted and when there are so many things to distract us – parties and events, holidays, festivals, the weather, stuff, summer. Any excuse!
Now that you have the extra few hours of day light and more vitality what are you doing? Are you enjoying this extra time ? Are you learning or benefiting from it?
If you want the garden of your life to look different this time next year, now is the time to plant seeds and then water them every day.
Happiness comes naturally when what we think, feel, say and do all point in the same direction.
Distraction can be seen as dressed-up procrastination. The busier we get in life the more distractions show up at our door. It is important for us to see this in context. Have a look at your week and your ‘free time’. Are you allowing weapons of mass distraction to take up too much of it?
We will never achieve great things if we are continually distracted by small things.
Why would we allow distraction to risk our success? Perhaps as Marianne Williamson says: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.’
Something to ponder in the week ahead.