RANDOM THOUGHT BEGINS There are many ways to identify yourself in today’s world. You may stand out because of your religion, political affiliation, or a certain organization you belong to. These are just a few examples, but when you’re trying to help someone, none of that matters. If I see someone who needs help, I’m not going to stop and ask, “Are you democrat or republican? Sorry, I can’t help you.” I won’t withhold a compliment from a little girl because she is a certain religion. It makes no sense. We are all humans and we deserve to be treated with respect. Don’t give in to labels, for they are distractions. RANDOM THOUGHT ENDS AND KIND OF RELATES TO THE REST OF THE POST
This brings me to my next point – when you’re working on your goals, be sure to focus on your target and ignore the distractions. People will unconsciously distract you and move you away from your path. While you’re going through your journey, there will be all kinds of distractions, big and small. If someone calls you mean, you get distracted, because now, you’re trying to defend yourself. If you know you’re not mean, why even bother to argue? Stay focused and work towards your target. Reality television is a huge distraction to a lot of people. Do you really need to know how the fight between the girls at the bar ends? Technically, they’ve already made their money, but you’re sitting at home watching them. You haven’t made any money by watching who gets splashed in the face with a wine glass full of ginger ale. Instead of watching them make their money, stay focused and work towards your target. Your goals are way more important than these distractions, so be careful not to let it take over.
People have conversations that grow into debates and it takes on energy which could have been used to focus on yourself. We tend to have a “Oh, I’ll do it later,” type of attitude when it comes to our personal goals and we end up doing things that are not too productive. Yes, it’s hard trying not to be distracted, but if you want to have a grip on your life and the direction that you want it to go, you need to take action. Avoid the little things that pop up everyday that don’t really concern you. You have to look past the unimportant things and get down to what needs to be done. We can even distract ourselves by acknowledging things that throw us off course. Someone jump in front of you in traffic? OK, but don’t sit in the car huffing and puffing about it for twenty minutes – continue on to your destination, as you think of how you will accomplish moving forward today. Your mother complaining about your sister again? Cut the conversation short (unless it’s really needed) and call her back after you’ve completed your goal work.
So how do you become distraction-free? Well, you can do the normal everyday things like turn off the notifications on your smartphone, set a certain time for you to work, only answer your emails and phone calls twice a day, and drink water. Or, you can do it the hard way and learn to be laser-focused. If you’re walking to the grocery store and a big truck came speeding down the street and passed you with dust flying into your eyes, you stay laser-focused, because you have to get to the grocery store. Yes, that dust in your eyes is very distracting, but you can keep walking (because your target is getting to the grocery store). That’s focus. When your song comes on the radio and your friend is talking to you and you are still listening to your friend (even though your song is on), that’s focus. It takes practice to have laser-like focus. Whenever the opportunity arises for you to practice your focus, try it. There are several moments in the day when distractions present themselves, so you will have plenty of chances to practice.
Learn to sort out distractions from your life. I’m not saying everything should be ignored, but you should make your life’s work a priority among other things. Once you pay attention, you’ll be surprised at how many distractions come up in your day.
Get past the distractions and take action (yes, sometimes I rhyme).