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Are You Distracted Or Disinterested?
October 25, 2016
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We live in a culture where A.D.D. has become our go-to reason for why we can’t focus on the task at hand.
For me, it was a crutch at my last radio job, a home for the unending parade of pointless, corporate meetings with little purpose other than to set up the next, equally pointless follow up meeting. As higherups would wax poetic for 15 minutes about why it’s important to still call a brand “new” after four years, I found my mind wandering to what I’d eat for lunch, or thinking about my fantasy football team.
Yet, when I could have a conversation with my morning show about brainstorming for an upcoming bit, I felt engaged and completely present.
After leaving the job, I realized that I wasn’t A.D.D. I was just suffocating in an environment that valued process more than creativity.
Think about your life. You probably only feel unfocused when you are doing activities that you genuinely dislike. But what about the times when you lose yourself in the moment and 4 hours can fly by and feel like 30 minutes? Why weren’t you distracted then?
Because those are your passions. It’s impossible to be distracted when you are in love with the work you are doing.
As a child, I was the best student in the world in my English class, but totally zoned out in Algebra. As an adult, I was completely engaged when discussing creative on-air campaigns and bored to death in sales meetings.
The problem is most of us are so disconnected from our true passions in the name of “adulting” that we can forget who we are and what makes us feel most alive.
So here is a simple exercise I learned from Danielle Laporte. This is a useful tool to zero in on what truly moves you:
- Step 1- Set a timer for 3 minutes and write down all the personal highlights from the last year. Do not overthink it. You might be surprised at the moments that stand out.
- Step 2- Have a friend or loved one look over the list. See if they notice any major omissions. Ask them if they see a pattern.
- Step 3- What patterns do YOU notice? What are the things that clearly bring you joy? What are the things that theoretically should have been “huge” but didn’t make the list?
- Step 4- Reflect on what moved you the last year. What two words could best sum up what drives you? For me, my list boiled down to growth and connection.
- Step 5- Set 5 goals for 2017 that revolve around those two works. What are 5 things you MUST accomplish to feel more of those emotions? Be specific!
The key to lasting fulfillment is aligning our actions with our soul’s passions.
2017 is right around the corner. Why wait until January 1st to design the life of your dreams? Go to www.creativesoulcoaching.net and sign up for weekly personal development emails sent straight to your inbox.
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