Editor’s Note: This is a post in the series, Simplicity in Action.
Beverly
With more information available to the average person than ever before, it is no wonder that we are distracted.
At work it can take the form of :
- Deadlines others have deemed emergencies
- Phone calls
- Long emails
- Unproductive meetings
What form does distraction take? In my personal life, distraction takes the form of:
- Book reviews
What is the harm of distraction, though? Isn’t it simply a way to let off steam, to rest from working hard, to chill? Doesn’t distraction give me a way to connect with others?
Perhaps distraction can do that. But more often, distraction prevents me from focusing on what really matters:
- my family
- my students’ success
- my creative work
- my physical goals
- my business
When I finally defined what really matters to me–rather than keeping a vague notion in my head–by writing a list with reasons, it became easy to let go of the distractions.
Instead of posting to Facebook and poring over the feeds of acquaintances, I make a date with a friend to meet and talk meaningfully about our lives.
Instead of lusting after things I don’t need on Pinterest, I enjoy my plenty by cooking a great meal with my husband.
Instead of reading endless book reviews, I savor a book and take notes, allowing myself to explore new ideas.
Instead of engaging with emails about seventy-two ways to be a better writer, I write my novel.
As I examine my life and identify the distractions, I am better able to let go and use that distracted time to create the life I want.
Read more from Beverly at PoMo Golightly and follow her on Twitter.
P.S. A new version of the Goodblog Project (a virtual workshop to help you do work you love) is coming this May. You can sign up here to be the first to know about the upcoming changes and offerings. If you don’t want to wait until May, learn more about how to work me when you are ready.
