Do you ever get distracted? Distractions can rob us of time, energy and productivity. Here are three distractions to avoid:
Choosing the good over the best.
We are often given many good choices of activities we can be doing and how we spend our time. We then try to deal with the many good choices by doing them all. But this leads to burnout and not doing anything well. We are trying to do so much that we only do a mediocre job, instead of our best.
The solution is to identify your purpose, set priorities and follow-through with boundaries. What is most important? Out of the many activities I can be involved in, which ones will get me closer to my purpose and accomplish my priorities? Of the many people I can spend time with, who are the most important for me to be with at this time in my life? Then set boundaries on your calendar that reflect what is most important.
Choosing short term gratification over long term perspective.
The options for short term gratification surround us daily. You can choose to eat that piece of candy or a healthy snack. You can choose to complete the small tasks on your list rather than tackling the most important and challenging project first. You can choose to respond to every email that comes across your screen or checking into Facebook rather than keeping focused.
The solution is to be disciplined with our eyes and our mind. First, be disciplined with your mind to define what uses of your time will get you the farthest to your purpose. Then set goals and daily routines to spend your time on those things.
Also, protect your eyes. If you are easily distracted by candy, keep it out of sight. If you are distracted by email, turn off the notifications that new email has arrived. Instead use these items as a reward for completing your long term goal. For example, you just completed working for the 90 minutes you allotted to an important work assignment. As a reward, you give yourself 10 minutes to check face book. Then you move on to the next important project.
Choosing pride rather than humility.
It can be easy to think more highly of our own ideas than we should. We can also be quick to judgment. Do you ever come up with a solution that you think is great and implement it without first getting other’s input? Then you wonder why no one is supporting the idea. So you become judgmental of them and complain about how everything is wrong with them.
The solution is being open minded and taking time to listen to others. You don’t have to go with every idea that others present. You may still continue with your idea. But be open to what others have to say. Maybe one of their ideas will help your plan be even better. You will also gain the support of others. People want to be heard and recognized. Listening openly to their thoughts show that you value them.
I have a client, named Mike, who is an amazing influencer. One of his board members mentioned that he noticed a pattern of the board always following Mike’s direction with decisions (and wishing that his board would do the same.) The secret to Mike’s influence is not how he leads in the board meeting, but how he leads outside the meeting. Before important decisions, Mike takes the time to meet individually and listen to board member’s thoughts and perspectives. Just by listening he gains influence.
What are your distractions? What are your solutions?
If this is an area where you would like to grow more, please contact me. I have some tools that can help you gain focus over distractions.