Non-Stop Distractions

Welcome to the Age of Distractions! DID YOU KNOW that non-stop distractions can have the same effect on you as the loss of a night’s sleep? They can be exhausting and hijack your mind.

Our culture is known as the “Non-Stop Distraction” Generation. These distractions can come from our environment, from technology, and from the thoughts whirling around in our heads. And in this last 18 months, we have had distractions from Covid19, political issues, and violence all around us. We are all susceptible to distractions these days, even children and teens!

In a recent study, 50% of people interviewed reported being often interrupted. However, the most distracted in our culture are the Millennials and Gen Zers. Around 74% of this younger generation report being often distracted, which affects their ability to be disciplined. Usually the distractions will tend to affect the things that matter the most to us.

Realizing this, I asked myself these questions:

1. What really matters the most in my life?
2. And what are the distractions that have taken my attention from this?
3. Finally, how can I deal with my distractions?

As I reflected on these questions, I decided that one of the things that mattered the most to me was to begin my morning with a quiet time. which involved a spiritual devotion and journaling. It was important to my emotional, spiritual, and physical health. BUT, I had been distracted from it lately, but why?

1. We had sold our larger home and bought a condo and another smaller home in Florida. This took a lot of downsizing and decluttering…and then packing and moving our stuff to two places.
2. Florida had experienced a hurricane, so we couldn’t close on the house until the owner put on a new roof to the house. Distraction!
3. I felt the stress of Covid19 & its limitations, and the political craziness that was taking place.
4. Also, I had to access my adrenaline in order to finish the move (not good for my health & emotions). 

I really needed my quiet time, so I vowed to make it a priority again. But when I began to do this, other things distracted me during my quiet time – text messages, phone calls, early appointments, thoughts going around in my head, morning tasks that grabbed my attention, other people in my space, and the challenge of finding a quiet place in two new environments.

So, what could I do? I decided to start my quiet time with some breathing and meditation to calm me down and help me focus. I limited using technology during my quiet time. I allowed others in my home to know when I needed privacy. I tried out different places in my home in order to find the best one. And I found some friends that would help me with accountability.

This was a slower process than I imagined.  But thank goodness…I’m finally beginning to get back to what matters the most to me.

Would you like to take on this challenge? Start by asking yourself these questions:

1. What matters the most to me?
2. What are the distractions that tend to get in the way of this priority in my life?
3. How can I work on my distractions so I can get back to what’s most important to me?

As you do this process you will “Starve your Distractions” and “Feed your Priorities.” SO, Goodbye Distractions….Hello what’s most important!