How To Remove Distractions From Your Life?

You may wondering if this is even possible. I would say yes, it is and it depends on how badly you want it and how you view distractions.

Distraction is the process of diverting the attention of an individual or group from a desired area of focus and thereby blocking or diminishing the reception of desired information. Source - Wikipedia

First you probably have to know WHAT is / are the distraction(s) that you are dealing with. There are primarily internal and external distractions. Internal includes hunger, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety and more while external distractions are like social media, family, work, tv, games and etc.. 

Before we head to the HOW, let's ask ourselves WHY do we get distracted and HOW detrimental distractions can be if we don't start holding the reins in. It is almost a norm to get distracted nowadays, even more so with the COVID19 when we have to practise safe distancing and spend most of our time indoors.

The ease of access to the digital world, tv and family proves to be a huge distraction for those who are working from home. In this time of safe distancing, the desire to stay connection is even stronger. When we are constantly bombarding our external senses with all these stimulants, our internal emotions are easily triggered - uncertainty, anxiety, fear, worry starts to brew within. Coupled with the new work and family routine of staying at home, our internal distractions might just hit a all-time high.

So how can we make distractions less destructive or even to our advantage? Is it possible to stay distraction-free? Perhaps it is not so much about removing but understanding that we need to start setting boundaries to fend out the distractions. Imagine you have a new pet at home and in order to prevent it from 'destroying' your home (which is common), you might have to do some preventive measures. Lock the bedroom when you headout, keep your precious items / jewelleries away, buy steadier furnitures, train your pet to listen to your command (which is really hard). But you get the point?

The plan may not be foolproof but at least you are taking a proactive approach. The truth is distractions may not be all that bad if we know how to handle them effectively and assertively. Here are 5 ways to start with:

1. Make Your Top Priorities Non-Negotiable

Is it your family, health, selfcare routine or morning prayers? My neighbour gets up to run at 5.30am because he wants to stay healthy and beat the morning crowd. I get on the mat to practise every morning before I do anything else because I know I will get lazy as the day goes by. Whatever it is, you make time for your top priorities. You make them non-negotiable, even if it is five minutes.

2. Set Time Limit For Distractions

Block out time for distractions. Give yourself a window period to check social media or watch your favourite tv show. I do it from 2pm-3pm where it is my least productive time of the day. My brain functionality is the lowest and I allow myself to connect with others.

3. Treat Your Distractions Like Rewards

Finish your most important task of the day and in return treat distractions like a reward for completing them. Netflix, online game, bubble bath after a long day at (home) work.

4. Make Distractions Undesirable / Hard To Get

Out of sight, out of mind. I used to have my phone around when I was working or even practising. So it is not surprising that I will usually get distracted halfway through only to get frustrated at myself. Now I switched it to silent and put it out of reach (in the kitchen or bedroom) until I get the most important work done. Use a post-it note on the fridge if you have a tendency to snack or on your laptop screen to remind you to stay focus.

5. Make Yourself Accountable To Someone or Socially

When we say it out loud, our ego will do the work for us. Commit to your kids, loved ones, colleague or your mentor what you will accomplish with a given time frame. Otherwise you get a penalty - no tv for three days or lose your favourite snack - whatever it is make the 'punishment' so undesirable that it pushes you to do the hard work and stay distraction free!

Everything takes practise and don't beat yourself up if you cave in to distractions. Unknowingly to many of us, some distractions have become so habitual that we don't think of them as distractions. The most common one is checking of phone upon waking which I am guilty at times. The important thing is to be aware of the distractions and checking-in with ourselves. Try asking yourself - is this (distraction) bringing me closer or further away from what I am doing. 

Small steps daily will add to up to huge impact. Stay safe and stay healthy.