Distractions

Distractions are great for business, and it should be in your best interest to learn how to refocus with each moment of distraction. Now, I’m not saying that each distraction deserves your attention, but each one needs your acknowledgement and understanding. This is how I like to group my distractions:
 

1. High level of distraction - I must take a minute to acknowledge this distraction because it is time sensitive and may hinder my short/long term goal if it’s not resolved. Stay calm and take a breath.
2. A misleading distraction - it may be a distraction, but it's not highly important. Usually, it’s an event in your way that you may not be able to control. It's best to reroute your way around this one. Stay calm and take a breath.
3. Outside distractions - They are outside for a reason. These distractions are more emotional attachments than anything. They can come in the form of peers, family, co-workers, children, society and the likes. Sometimes you have to detach from this distraction from time to time to see it for what it truly is. Stay calm and take a breath.
4. Personal distraction - this one comes in the form of fear, self-doubt, anxiety and confusion. Stay calm and take a breath.

 
It’s hard to decipher these four distractions, but the first resolution is to acknowledge them. Sounds easy, but it’s not like a distraction is right in front of you jumping up and down saying, "Look here I am! What type am I?! Quick you only have 60 seconds to tell me which type of distraction am I!"

First of all, high levels of distractions directly influence your goals. You may have to make a choice about going to an event to further your business or creating a business proposal that's due that same evening. Both opportunities can generate revenue for your business at a later time, but which one should you chose? Maybe you can delegate one of the responsibilities to your partner or employee. Which one? Decision making is necessary but spending too much time on it can spoil your chances of completing any one of them. Honestly, it does not matter which one because the decision that you make will be the right one for your business. If it is not, then you learn from where you went wrong. Who knows? If you tried it one way and a different way the next time this issue may arise, you still may walk away with the same outcome. That’s not the lesson. The lesson is this: You will run your business the way you want it and take responsibility for the outcome. You will keep growing and learning from each and every opportunity and keep moving forward in faith in you, your company, and your customers/clients.

Secondly, a misleading distraction is a minor distraction in disguise. Let's say you are an event planner and you strategically planned the perfect event to showcase your company. The day of your outdoor event, there's a snowstorm in September! Who would have seen that coming? Does your venue allow for you to cancel, reschedule or move the event inside? It happens, but the weather is out of your control. This distraction is more of a nuisance than a distraction, but your attention should be on the prize (your set goals). This distraction will not make or break you, but will force you to quickly think of a solution and redirect your plans.
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Thirdly, other types of distractions are those pesky outside distractions. Even though they are minor distractions, they can affect your train of thought. A family past away; your kid's teachers are calling; your personal relationships are coming to an end; your employer constantly critiques you and seems to never be satisfied with your efforts; or maybe you are getting harassed at work/home/in public. Can you imagine how this can wreak havoc into your own personal growth? These things can leave you run down trying to deal with them individually or all at once. It's ok. Everyone goes through it. None of these things will prevent you from obtaining your goals. All you have to do is take a deep breath; clear your mind, and detach emotionally from the situation. This is something I want you to get in the habit of doing. Everything that I mentioned above is a short list of what is out of your control and can only affect you if you let it. Seriously. Family member past away? You can't bring them back. Kids, personal relationships, critical employers/employees and the likes are entities that you do not control. All you can control is how you react to them, and how you want to solve it. Emotionally detaching for just a moment will allow you to figure it all out, which you cannot do if you are stressed out about life's little fires (as my dad would put it). Grab a bucket and put each one out. Problems will come in and out all the time. As soon as you accept that, then you can start to form a real thought about how to resolve it. That's it.
 
And lastly, if you let the outside distractions get to you it may become a personal distraction. Personal distractions can lead up to all types of self-esteem issues. Do not be fearful or have self-doubt. Be bold and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. You were divinely created with everything that you need to accomplish what is in your heart and mind.  All you have to do is place your mind where you want it to be and everything else will follow. Do not allow anxiety and stress to have its way with you. Every time you feel that your heart is racing and your mind is whirling, stop and take a deep breath while clearing your mind. You know…. your mind never really stops working while you are alive. It's constantly searching for a solution to all of life's problems. Sometimes you just have to tell it to slow down or stop. Shhhhhh! And repeat. The solution will eventually come to you. It always will.
 
We still have some tickets left for the Saturday Skating Party for this November 11th at 5:45. Please come out and support our foundation. We have $25 to $100 gift cards, food, fun and prizes for all ages. I hope to see you there.

One love,

Monette