by Glen Keene, JD, CPC
Attorney, certified professional coach and Internet TV show host Glen Keene gives practical tips to businesses and to future entrepreneurs to Enlighten, Engage and Empower to achieve success and full potential.
The deadline is looming and that project, report, job, contract, order has to get done NOW. But, something seems to be holding you back, keeping you from crossing the finish line. You being distracted from the task at hand.
Distraction points are those matters or items that interfere with your focus. They can range from the small; the car window that doesn’t close properly, the squeaky bedroom door or the broken floor tile you keep intending to repair. They can be intermediate distractions; the disorganized attic or basement, the garage overflowing to the point that you no longer have room for the car. They can also be large matters; the personal relationship that is deteriorating, the employee or co-worker whose personal or work habits are frustrating you and causing your performance to decline or the office supply vendor who consistently fails to provide the service or products you need.
There are many examples of distraction points. You could probably name several of your own. All of them have one thing in common. They occupy far more of your thoughts than they should. They prevent you from concentrating on the much more important matters such as your next steps to success. They irritate, disturb and distract.
Overlooking or ignoring them is difficult, at best. They can’t be ignored. They’re like the cat who sits on the fence outside your bedroom window. It screeches late into the night keeping you awake. You can try to chase it away but, it will return the next night to disturb your sleep again.
Disposing of distraction points are necessary if you intend to move forward building positive habits and disciplines. Self-improvement is a continuous process. Creating new modes of behavior is always a part of that process.
Accumulating distraction points hinders the process. It is very difficult to maintain focus on a project when you mind is occupied by small, nagging maters. Time is consumed thinking of the problems rather than the progress you want. That is time that could be put to better use.
Your concentration and efforts should be towards the forward progress you want to make. It’s the steps you have to take to improve the areas of your life that will lead to your success that should be your focus. Spending time worrying about things that are distracting will delay and possibly derail your dreams and desires.
Your focus should be on developing better habits and disciplines that keep your mind on what matters most, where it is you want to go. The time spent being bothered by distractions is wasted time and wasted time is unrecoverable. Use you time wisely.
Distractions are a part of life. We are easily thrown off track by them. When it happens we may get upset, disgruntled or mad. Occasionally we may appreciate a distraction. Such as, while doing yard work we pause to watch a beautiful sunset. We may take a few moments to enjoy the gorgeous colors of the sky before returning to the work at hand.
The happy distractions can often be inspiring, reminding us of our ‘€˜why’, the reasons we do what we do. They may give us pause to appreciate and be grateful for what we have. These distractions are often welcome and can lead to creative moments.
It’s the negative, unsettling distractions that steal from us. Just as procrastination is a thief so are negative distraction points. They steal your time, attention, concentration, and focus. If allowed to continue and worsen they will steal your ambition, desire, drive and determination.
The time you spend removing the negative distractions will be time well spent. Freeing up your mind to concentrate on what you need to get done will, in the end, be well worth the few minutes you take to get them out of the way. You’ll get to where you want to be faster and easier when you have fewer distractions.
‘€˜Glen Keene’s Spotlight on Success’ is streamed live every Wednesday at 6:30p from RocklandWorldRadio.com.
Glen Keene’s Spotlight on Success’ is streamed live every Wednesday at 6:30p from RocklandWorldRadio.com. Glen’s guest on Wednesday July 11 is retired Journal News editor and journalist Bob Baird.
Email glen@attorneykeene.com, visit GlenKeene.com or call 845-445-2411 with questions about Glen’s column, his show or his practice at 99 Main Street in Nyack, NY.
No legal advice is intended or implied herein.
