The modern age provides us with a wealth of information and at the same time creates many opportunities to keep us distracted.
We all need to learn how to deal with and avoid distractions. Being more focused not only makes us more productive, it helps us to have richer relationships. Distractions, on the other hand stop us from achieving our goals.
Whether you are constantly checking your phone, email, or switching to Netflix to distract yourself, here are some simple answers to improve your focus:
Recognize The Source Of Distractions
What motivates our distracting behavior? The source of the problem is usually boredom, lack of engagement or some emotional discomfort we are not dealing with. Instead of focusing on the root of the problem, we tend to distract ourselves.
This explains why you reach for your phone and scroll your social media news feed instead of writing that important email.
Just the same way that you walk to the fridge when you are hungry or grab a coat when you are cold, distractions are actions caused by internal triggers. We give in to distractions to numb the pain we are feeling because of an uncomfortable situation in your lives. It could be a job or a relationship that is making us unhappy or a struggle with finances.
Reflect and observe to determine which aspect of your life is out of balance. Fix that area to avoid mindless distractions.
Look for the emotions you experience just before giving in to a distraction. Do you reach for a cigarette each time you think about the difficult project at work? Or start reading articles online instead of writing a chapter in your book?
Note the trigger either in your journal or an app. Note down the time of day and how you felt when you noticed the emotion that resulted in the distracting behavior.
You will be able to manage your behavior better when you get better at noticing these subconscious patterns of action.
Plan For The Things That Require Focus
The opposite of distraction is ‘traction.’ Think of traction as actions that draw you towards the things you want in life. While distractions halt our progress towards the life we dream, traction takes us closer the ideal.
Having pre-determined time slots for the things that provide traction is a better way to avoid being distracted.
A simple way to achieve this state is through the use of a schedule. Have fixed events in your schedule and don’t leave empty slots where you have lots of space to be unproductive. When you are not occupied, it is much more likely to engage in distracting behavior.
As your willpower increases, so will your ability to pay attention and focus on a task of project.
When you are focused, you tend to do what you say you will do. And you will be as honest with yourself as you are with others. Learning how to avoid being distracted is important to have better relationships and for your own well being.
Sheevaun Moran is a business advisor, master coach, quantum energy thought leader and the founder of Energetic Solutions. She uses business principles with energetic techniques to help more than 25,000 entrepreneurs, CEOs and leaders bring instant focus and shifts to clarity, purpose, and profits.
BRING MORE FOCUS INTO YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE
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