Distractions can be sneaky. They can linger, they can feel important and sometimes, they can disguise themselves. What may seem like a simple email, a scrumptious brownie break, a conversation with a friend, or time spent on Facebook, can sometimes mean so much more. You'd be surprised how often these, what seem meaningless distractions, pop up. But if we really look deeper into the distraction, they can actually be very helpful.
Most of us don't realize it, but distractions are tricky. For instance, maybe you're starting a new business, so your fear of failure takes on a disguise. Instead of working on your company, you decide working out (maybe a little too much) and getting healthy is what you need to spend time on right now. Or maybe you're bored with your relationship, so rather than figuring out why, you decide that decorating your new living room should be at the top of your list. Distractions become "important excuses" that derail you from dealing with what is really going on. They make you feel good for the moment and make it really easy for you to cover up reality.
I have to confess, I was faced with an unfamiliar distraction recently when I got completely hooked on a TV show. For me, this is an out of character move. See, I'm not much of a TV watcher. In fact, we don't even have cable. We just have Netflix set up and once in a while, I'll sit myself down for a good movie or show. But it can be months or weeks before I watch anything.
But recently, something came over me and I started cozying up on the couch with my own distraction. Why? At the time, I wasn't sure. I was not letting myself figure it out because, well, I was too busy distracting myself.
Then one day, after I was no longer able to watch the show, (because the season was over and there were no more episodes left) I realized that I was using this show as my escape. When I sat down and truly faced my distraction head on, I saw that it wasn't the show I was obsessed with, it was the time. I felt depleted by the end of the day because I was pouring so much of myself into my family and my work. I realized that I didn't have much space to just be with myself. This distraction was my moment to have no responsibility, no running around, no getting it all done. I realized what this distraction was telling me. I needed a little more ME time.
So when you notice that little distraction hanging around, take note of it and look at it straight on. They are tricky, but behind them are little gems you can learn from. As for me, I set aside time during the week when I can do something just for me and that helps me throw the noodles even farther.
Most of us don't realize it, but distractions are tricky. For instance, maybe you're starting a new business, so your fear of failure takes on a disguise. Instead of working on your company, you decide working out (maybe a little too much) and getting healthy is what you need to spend time on right now. Or maybe you're bored with your relationship, so rather than figuring out why, you decide that decorating your new living room should be at the top of your list. Distractions become "important excuses" that derail you from dealing with what is really going on. They make you feel good for the moment and make it really easy for you to cover up reality.
I have to confess, I was faced with an unfamiliar distraction recently when I got completely hooked on a TV show. For me, this is an out of character move. See, I'm not much of a TV watcher. In fact, we don't even have cable. We just have Netflix set up and once in a while, I'll sit myself down for a good movie or show. But it can be months or weeks before I watch anything.
But recently, something came over me and I started cozying up on the couch with my own distraction. Why? At the time, I wasn't sure. I was not letting myself figure it out because, well, I was too busy distracting myself.
Then one day, after I was no longer able to watch the show, (because the season was over and there were no more episodes left) I realized that I was using this show as my escape. When I sat down and truly faced my distraction head on, I saw that it wasn't the show I was obsessed with, it was the time. I felt depleted by the end of the day because I was pouring so much of myself into my family and my work. I realized that I didn't have much space to just be with myself. This distraction was my moment to have no responsibility, no running around, no getting it all done. I realized what this distraction was telling me. I needed a little more ME time.
So when you notice that little distraction hanging around, take note of it and look at it straight on. They are tricky, but behind them are little gems you can learn from. As for me, I set aside time during the week when I can do something just for me and that helps me throw the noodles even farther.
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