Are you finding yourself being very distracted? Is it because you are in close quarters with other people? Or is it because you are trying to complete far too many tasks at at time?
We often use distraction as an excuse not to be present and aware of what is going on within and around us.
Are you dedicating “quiet time” in your life currently? Are you seeking moments of quiet? How successful are you at creating or finding moments of quiet?
Give yourself permission to block out time and then take the time for quiet. For solace. For no distractions. The ability to just be quiet, have quiet, and just take a breath, just for a moment, will lead you to become more focused.
Distraction is the enemy of focus. Many times, distraction leads us away from the very thing that we need to focus on. And we follow distraction merrily down the road – anything, other than facing reality.
Can you stop for a moment, and prioritize the things you need to focus on?
What do you need to focus on for yourself?
What do you need to focus on for your family?
What do you need to focus on for your work, or business?
Take some time – some quiet, distractionless time to focus on what you need, and prioritize what needs to be done.
Prioritize this: Learning to work with less distractions. Things will get done faster, and you will feel more calm, and productive.
Can you own the fact that you are very distracted? I have had to acknowledge that I was extremely distracted, and sometimes running from the reality in front of me. Not that it was tragic or traumatic. It was just that I didn’t feel like tackling the tasks at hand. I couldn’t decide what was important. I was overwhelmed.
So I worked to get quiet. To listen to my inner voice. And to trust that I could handle anything in my path.
So, look around. Observe your world. How distracted are you? Identify what the distractions are (television, social media, clutter, etc.) and then tackle each one, bit by bit. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just take one small step at a time. Watching too much television or spending too much time on social media? Develop a plan: cut it by 30 minutes. Maybe you have trouble focusing for long periods of time (I struggle with this from time to time). Try the Pomodoro method, which gives you short time periods of focus then a break.
Don’t let distraction win. You will have to figure out the underlying reasons for distraction. Stress. Feeling overwhelmed. Unsure where to start. Don’t know what’s the next thing to do.
Figure it out. Then develop a plan for yourself. Implement your plan one step at a time, and watch how you increase your productivity and performance.
I know that you will see progress. Trust yourself.