With the Christmas and New Year period rapidly approaching, I was reminded of a conversation I had had with a friend earlier in January. We had been discussing how the busyness over the Christmas and New Year period can distract us from our true resolutions. And as women this distractional pull is huge as you juggle so much, not only for yourself, but others around you too. No matter how many hours you have in a day or how much effort you put into your business or other life goals, you just never seem to breakthrough. Whether you actively participate in the festivities or not, you are bound to be affected by this time of year and through those around you.
It's about mid January each year when the fervour is over and life begins to return to a more sedate pace and when a true state of reflection and a perhaps more plausible setting of targets is possible. Below are a few aspects about distraction and actions you can take to ensure that distraction is not stealing your life away!
- It's Your TimeRemember, even when it comes to choosing what you wish to add or release from your Life in the upcoming exciting new year, timing is everything. If you do not take the appropriate time to sit in quiet and conscious reflection and then begin to map out your plan of action, you may experience - yet again - that distraction is stealing your Life away. And whilst everything is possible, time is an infinite commodity.
- Be Aware Yes, it's written there in the word itself! Can you see it? Because awareness is the first step. Distr-action is there to distract you from taking action. That is its purpose! Focus is so easily lost as we are bombarded nowadays with information and calls for action from all sides. But how much of what you do is in alignment with what you really -- and I mean REALLY -- desire for you and your Life? Below are a few points and actions around how distraction is stealing your life away and some insights on how to shift this around, into action that counts towards re-solutions!
- Multi-tasking Over centuries, humans have developed the ability to multi-task in so many ways, the more I have really looked into the importance of focus -- the ability to be fully conscious in activity - the more I see the distraction inherent within multi-tasking. Having been a massage therapist, I learned that by touching or massaging two different areas of the body at the same time, causes the brain to 'defocus' and creates a - in this case - a deliberate state of distraction. The brain is not able to focus on two things at once, with equal attentiveness or consciousness and your cognition, or attention/focus, will be channeled to the most predominant stimuli being experienced. Which in the instance of massage is relaxation and a relief from tension. So it stands to reason that when you are doing two or even more different tasks at the same time, this causes the brain to defocus and choose priorities which can lead to error or inaccuracy. Rather do one thing and do it well, with your full attention. In the long run you save time and you feel a greater sense of accomplishment.
- Focus Like Crazy On What You DesireThe ability to maintain an overall main focus is very powerful and creates a force that not many will dare to mess with or confront. This does not mean that focus has to become obsessive. Over thousands of year's the human brain has evolved to make repeated behaviours more habitual, thus streamlining and automating the small stuff. Whilst handy this may not always be optimally beneficial! If you still find yourself having to make the same old same resolutions each year to improve yourself, then it is highly likely that you are allowing distractions like diet, jobs, shopping, relationships, issues of lack around money, health and love to steal your Life away. To get what you desire you have to be what you desire. It's the only way. It's not selfish focusing on what you want to achieve because by doing this you will be taking care of all the smaller details.
- Take Action No Matter How SmallSo how can you get your life back? I have found that beginning each day with a declared point of focus helps me to stay calmer and more productive. I keep a sharp eye out for those distractions which creep into conversations, give priority to mobile phone calls, enticing activities that have nothing to do with my daily target. For example, busy with writing my next book for publication later this year, I know that instead of blogging, I wish to focus on writing my book. When I move my focus from writing content that needs to go into my book rather than in a blog or social media, I have to watch it. So I looked for a win-win solution by writing this blog about distractions and touching base with my readers at the beginning of this new year. Then get back to writing focused content for my book.
- Accountability An important step when taking action is self-accountability. At the end of the day, you will benefit from what you have or have not done. Over time, a constant failure to achieve desired targets erodes and your self-worth, self-trust and confidence. So don't sabotage yourself. Make a list of your daily targets and tick them off as you get them. This is taking action. Even if you do not complete your list, keep at it. This is still meant to be fun though. It is also a great way to acknowledge and celebrate all that you do achieve. Whatever you do, do it fully present! That way distraction has less chance of sneaking up on you and into your life.
- Listen to your body An easy and instant way to 'listen' to your body is to notice your breath. Usually when you are in a place of distraction you can feel off-balance or scattered. Long-term this leads to a feeling of stress. By observing your breathing, you can get an idea of where you are on the scale of allowing yourself to be distracted or not. When you stop and take the action of consciously breathing, this allows you to refocus and take the action out of distractions. The act of breathing focuses you back into my body. And then you are able to choose again from a place of focused attention and step out in alignment with your daily aspirations, rather than alongside them. Don't let distraction steal your focus inappropriately. Follow your breathe - it knows the natural rhythm of the present moment. Give it a go and experience it for yourself. And it's free!
- Be Present Action is something that happens NOW. Whatever comes after that towards reaching a goal is detail. It chops and changes, but when you are totally present, it just becomes a part of the flow. Each moment is tremendously precious, not because you may miss out on doing something, rather because it is a moment of pure creation made available each and every second. Start thinking about it in this way and asking yourself - which helps to keep you present and focused - what would I like to create with this?. Time abounds with creative instances and with your consciousness, you breathe form into being.
The points and actions mentioned above work and I have used them time and again to stop distraction from stealing my life away. It is a personal choice of empowerment to step out of the overstimulation we are bombarded with constantly and which leads us away from our heat's desires and life's purpose. Your attention is your most precious commodity, so use it wisely.
May you make and take focused action, so that the year and your life is full of YOU, as you step out and embrace your Life. The world needs you to be living fully here and now and sharing your brilliance. This is why you are here at this time. Distraction steals this knowing from you and dims your sparkle. Put a stop to it today. Only you can!
In Light and Appreciation.
Trilby
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Trilby D. Johnson, is a Transformational Author, Body-Brain Reformer, Speaker and Intuitive channel/Teacher for Connective Embodiment. Trilby provides Dead-End Turn Around Mentoring using enhanced skills and processes for Body Mind Spirit Integration and Transformation that easily and quickly create and access successful opportunities in life, business, money, health, love and personal self-expression. Her first book A-Ha Moments - Inspirational Quotes to Shift Your Thinking is an original treatise to living life on your own terms.
Trilby's talent is supporting you to Connect The Dots To Who You Truly Are! so that you experience the ultimate self-trust in yourself and your body
http://www.trilbyjohnsontheconnective.com
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