Like so many other diagnoses, we Americans like to toss around terms like “ADD” and “ADHD” casually. We like to blanket over why we forgot to send that birthday card on time. We like to make excuses as to why we do not make the time to pray, to eat healthy, and to exercise. We seem to enjoy disrespecting other people’s time by being chronically late. After all, we have self-justified excuses of all our distractions that held us up.
My Dad had the cahones to tell me he does not have time to take his multivitamin and glucosamine anymore. Come on, Dad, really?
Somehow, I want to live mindfully amidst the everyday dealings of life. I want to free myself from the burden of distractions. And I can imagine that you do, too.
Time-sucks. Like the phantom energy you hear about from keeping your appliances plugged in, distractions waste precious resources.
Television.
The Internet.
Twitter.
Facebook.
The Internet.
The dishes.
Text messages (even distract you while you drive!).
Your best friend.
Your coworker.
Your pile of fashion magazines.
Distractions come when I least need them, but often because I most want them.
Well, kind of. I want to finish my tasks, but I also want to give into a lack of discipline to let my mind wander. This, however, will only lead to a path of regret and self-pity.
You have to make the conscious effort and dedicate yourself to focus.
Distractions will not go away. They proliferate by nature.
What is your nature?
Do you finish things?
Do you commit daily to your Faith, your health, your family, and very importantly – your work?
Or do you fizzle out and rarely complete any given tasks by deadline?
If you are having a terrible time committing yourself to your exercise plan, your design project, your home renovation efforts, or your writing, take time to remove the clutter from your head, your desk, and your life.
Leo Babauta has some fantastic tips to refocus and recharge.
I want to finish my tasks.
I choose to know myself as the “It’s as good as done!” model.
You?
Get with it. Life’s clock is ticking by, and there goes your life with it!
Ashley Sue
[...] knew I had to distance myself from all the distractions so that God and I could have a session. My avoidances included the joy of air conditioning. [...]