The Laws of Distraction
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007“The only competition you will ever have is the competition between your disciplined and undisciplined mind.” ~ James A. Ray
Have you ever noticed that successful people stay focused and unsuccessful people stay distracted?
Have you ever noticed how unsuccessful people blame their distractions rather than accepting responsibility for deciding to be distracted?
What if you could use your distractions as a tool, instead of the distractions holding you back?
You can do that if you use The Laws of Distraction.
Before we discuss The Laws, let’s first get clear on what Distractions are.
There are two kinds of distractions: ones that do not serve you, and ones that serve you.
Yes, you heard right. There are distractions that serve you.
The key is to notice the difference between the two, and to know when to use the distractions that serve. That is where The Laws of Distraction come in.
(Hint: Even those distractions that do not serve can be used to serve you. Keep reading to find out how.)
Keep a written record of these observations, whether in your Journal, or on your computer. You will need this information as you utilize the next Laws of Distraction.
As mentioned earlier, there are two kinds of Distractions: Communicating Distractions and Energy Shifting Distractions.
As you review the information gathered from observing your distractions and actions, you will be able to determine which distractions are communicating and which distractions are energy shifting.
Communicating Distractions
The Distractions that activate during specific activities are your Communicating Distractions. Upon first analysis, these Distractions do not serve you. They are distracting you from completing your tasks.
The truth is, these Distractions are letting you know that a shift or tweak is required to move through the activity.
Energy Shifting Distractions
If a particular activity is lengthy, taking hours or days to complete, Energy Shifting Distractions serve as the breaks allowing your energy to be recharged. They are valuable in supporting you to maintain focus through to completion of your tasks.
Communicating Distractions
Ask yourself the following questions regarding the activities you are distracting yourself from.
1. How does this task serve?
You have found that you are using certain distractions to avoid a specific activity. What is the purpose of this activity? Is it an income generating activity? Will it serve your highest good to complete it?
The reason for this particular question is to determine if you want to complete the activity or drop it from your action list.
If there is a clear purpose, move on to question two. If there is no clear purpose, your activity is actually a distraction.
Remove the activity from your action list. Then, take time to notice which actions this activity was distracting you from completing. Use this question to dig down until you reach the root activity that requires completion. Then move onto question two.
2. What would it take to get this done?
You have now determined that it does serve to complete this action. What would it take to get it done? Is this something you have the ability to do? Is it something you enjoy doing? Is it something you can delegate?
If the task is something you can delegate, do so immediately, and your distraction will quickly fade.
If you are not able to delegate the task, move on to question three.
3. Are there other ways to achieve the same end result?
Ultimately the reason we do things is for the end result we expect or desire. The distraction comes in when we have chosen a “how” for achieving the end result that does not fit.
Research other ways to achieve the same end result. Choose the activity that fits within your strengths and talents. By choosing activities through this filter (strengths and talents) the distraction no longer has value and will quickly fade.
Energy Shifting Distractions
As you move through your actions of the day, you may find your energy lagging from time to time. Perhaps you are trying to figure out your next step and the answers are not coming easily. You may find there is a necessary break of time between action steps. It is during these times where you bring in the Energy Shifting Distractions (“ESD”).
Examples of ESD’s are mind puzzles such as Sudoku, crosswords or word-finds. Other ESD’s may be reading, including joke books, or “bite” books such as “Chicken Soup” or “Juicy Bites of Welcome Changes”.
The important thing to remember with ESD’s is to choose specifically how long you use them. Typically ESD’s should last for 5 to 15 minutes, and no longer than 30 minutes. If your ESD lasts longer than this, return to the Communicating Distractions section of Law #3.
As you use the Laws of Distraction (Observe – Know – Use) you bring in clarity and choice to your experience. You transform the Distractions from an anchor that holds you back into a tool that guides and maneuvers you forward.
Observe, Know and Use your Distractions through The Laws of Distraction, and you will create and sustain focused action towards your goals.
Are you ready to use your Distractions to succeed
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