In our hurried and fast-paced world, it is often difficult to be “in the moment” of what you are doing at any point and time. Distractions abound as people and responsibilities clamor for your time. There are very few thoughtful, focused moments in a day where you can simply concentrate on the person, task, or situation at hand.
Sadly, it also seems to have become more difficult to stay connected to other people in deep and meaningful ways despite our many technical gadgets. As a result, relationships are becoming more ephemeral and less meaningful.
We all need to be mindful of trying to do too much. My mother used to caution me about “burning the candle at both ends” and she was right. There are only ever so many hours in a day. Constant stimulation is not a good thing. Being good at your chosen profession should be important to you and requires the ability to focus and pay attention. Being there for the people who matter in your life is critical to happiness and requires you to make time them a priority. Taking care of your body and mind is essential to your well-being and only happens when you are disciplined about it.
It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of being constantly busy – jumping from one thing to the next or juggling too many responsibilities at the same time. At some point, the action starts to define you, and not in a good way, e.g., missed assignments, silly mistakes, frayed relationships, ill health, etc. You become an activity junkie energized by just trying to keep up. This is no way to live.
Life is about quality, not quantity. It has never been about checking off boxes despite what marketing and advertising firms try to tell us. We will all eventually run out of time. It’s what we do with the time we are given that matters. Trying to do too much can only lead to stress, disappointment, and failure. Being good at anything requires focus, practice, and commitment. Cherish, invest in, and protect what you already have.
Strive to be “in the moment” of whatever you are doing. If there are other people involved, give them your undivided attention – stay focused, and avoid interruptions and other distractions. Learn to say “no” or “not now” to the unessential and discretionary requests in your work and personal life. Don’t define yourself in terms of what others have or are doing. More will get done and you will feel better about doing it.
Related Articles
- 38 Life Lessons I’ve Learned in 38 Years (zenhabits.net)
- Avoid Daily Distractions (capacity-building.com)
- Everyday Essence (joyofspa.com)
- The Art of Focus (artenthusias.wordpress.com)
- The Self-Sabotage Cycle: Six Ways to Stop It (passingthru.com)
- To Find True Wisdom, Slow Down and Go Within (atlantablackstar.com)
- Moments of Silence (originalguidancefoundation.wordpress.com)