To Be Or Not To Be?
Published on December 12, 2014
Distracted that is. The great memorable line from the TV show Kung Fu, "Focus grasshopper" is one of the great statements of our time. Overcoming distractions and being present in the moment is one of the great challenges and skills we can possibly overcome and develop. Science shows that we are "here", focused on this moment in time no more than 10-15% of the day. Distractions are said to be one of the primary opponents of focus. "The phone rings, an e-mail comes in, a bird flies by, a pretty girl or handsome guy catches your eye". The list of distractions is endless and the time consumed by them is lost forever. A quote I wrote some time ago holds true for us all. "Live today because there will never be another today". The same applies to the moment lost to distraction. Once expended it can never be reclaimed. Add these all up and they represent an enormous portion of our lives lost in time. I took note of the process earlier today returning from a seminar. Driving along the highway to my left I saw a large billboard for a home renovation company. That brief glance or "distraction" started the thought thieves to set about to their work. I'm not sure how long the thought process went on but I did become aware of mentally remodeling our main bathroom, front steps, fence, patio and laundry room. In all the time I spent thinking about all of this I didn't actually accomplish anything. I was simply lost in thought. Distracted. Now you may say that I was just driving and unable to do anything else, however what I did note was the process. The question became, "Did the billboard distract me or did I distract myself"? I think you know the answer. I distracted myself. We always have the power of choice. The billboard didn't jump out in the middle of the highway. My mind jumped over to it. Here's what all this means I guess. Distraction for the most part does not come to us, we go to it. If the phone rings in the middle of creating a presentation we have the choice not to answer it. If your iPhone e-mail sound goes off you're not forced to stop what you're doing and answer it. If the song on the radio in the office comes on I don't have to stop calling my clients and relive that moment 35 years ago in my Camaro with my friends on our way to Grand Bend. At the end of the day it's comforting to know that we have a choice. "To be or not to be. Distracted that is". Have an excellent day. Be well, Randy Taylor