I am so much in collaboration with distraction that I wonder if it’s not a source of inspiration for me because almost everything inspires me now.
Seriously, I discover that I am oftentimes more distracted than focused and I am wondering if it’s not the reason for my average or mediocre achievements.
Let’s even assume that this is true, what must I do to arrest this enemy and win the focus that will grant me access to audacious winning ways? Something tells me that we lose focus before we even understand that we have focus.
Distraction is one huge obstacle against a great work ethic. How can you be 100% focused on a task and have anything, but a super work ethic?
That to me is one way to describe work ethic and a great work ethic is everything in synchrony with a winning attitude because you are hardly in dearth of passion. As long as this fuel is not scarce, then you always have energy supply to keep on deploying towards the attainment of excellence.
Seeing that this enemy is almost always present with me, if not dwelling under my skin, how do I resist it? Reason is that if I don’t destroy it, it will definitely destroy me like the mistletoe does the kolanut or orange tree.
This parasite has to be kept apprehended and kept in check, if not totally annihilated.
To rid myself of this, I must first, accept that it’s present. Next is to identify those things it aligns with.
What are the things that easily entrap you? Those apps that keep popping up on your devices. What powers those apps? The internet, right?
Can you do without the internet since you are a digital native? Or are you going to take a course in the art of self-moderation, mortification or of self-discipline?
What if you delete those apps that are though lawful for you to have, but are not really expedient? I only think it’s necessary, because you may not really need them.
If you did a thorough analysis, you should discover that they add no positive value to you. Rather, they bind you in more negativity than you may realise.
Replace that compulsive browsing habit with some other. Read a book instead. Engage in some form of physical exercise. Put your phone away from your bedroom or your bedside. Find something else to do. Do something around the house.
Can you imagine something that not only robs you of sleep, but also feeds the black wolf within you? You invest the scarce and invaluable resources–time, money, energy, rest and more at your disposal, just to feed a weakness that will destroy you?
Crystal Paine said: “If you want to be more productive, you need to become a master of your minutes.”
So then, to arrest distraction, every minute counts. What do you do with that precious minute?
This is how it works, once you pick up your phone and put on the data and the messages start popping up, you have lost more than that minute. You may lose more than two hours, if you are not careful.
Discipline your minute. Every minute is a treasure you can either manage or mismanage. It’s an investment you must be conscious of. And you do know that a failure to manage that activity within the time window you have is your biggest distraction. It’s not the time in itself.
There is something queer about your addictions. You are in them for no reason or benefit. You don’t know why you are engaged in them. You don’t audit them. They sap you of almost every resource at your disposal, including your sanity. It’s so queer you don’t know it.
Think of your addiction to your devices: your phone and tablet. Your TV. Your PC. Importantly, your handy device [phone] has become your greatest companion. It’s your biggest distraction. Can you take stock of the benefits that have accrued to you since you indulge with it?
Your phone gives you the access to social media, which is the biggest thief of reality today. It’s like the thumb or other finger that a baby is addicted to. The baby sucks emptiness though it enjoys it. That’s exactly how social media is. You enjoy emptiness and vanity.
Distraction is powerful because it arrests your sensibilities and mental faculties. Once it gets a hold of you, like an addiction, you are stuck to it. But you can disengage yourself if you use the energy of your will faculty.
Distraction is your greatest enemy. That means you are your greatest enemy. Take stock of the things that distract you. What benefits accrue to you from investing in them?
Now, take stock of the things that matter to you. What benefits would your focus on these things yield you in six to twelve months or in the short, mid and long term? Can you visualise? Can you try this for a start and see how you would come out?
You can overcome distraction. You can indeed make what seems impossible possible, if you believe. With belief, first in yourself and then in the Higher Being, you can. But it’s only if you believe.
