Tag Archives: distraction

When we lack real problems, we create imaginary ones

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“When we lack real problems, we create imaginary ones. When we lack meaningful work, we perfect the unimportant.”

—Shane Parrish, Creator of the Farnam Street blog

Image from Unsplash by Roman Melnychuk

Human nature thrives on purpose and challenge.

When we lack real problems to solve, our minds often fill the void by creating imaginary ones — this phenomenon can lead to unnecessary stress and distractions, as we fixate on trivial issues that don’t truly matter.

Similarly, when we lack meaningful work, we tend to perfect the unimportant — spending excessive time refining details that add little value, simply to feel productive.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world are you majoring in the minors of life?

How would greater focus on real issues and meaningful work provide you the results and fulfillment you desire?

When you dip in and out of awareness

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When you dip in and out of awareness, how can you simply be with what is without wanting to be somewhere else?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Shantung Kulkarni

We often find ourselves oscillating between moments of awareness and distraction.

It is common to feel the urge to escape our situation, yearning for something else.

True peace lies in embracing where we are.

Learning to be present with our thoughts and surroundings, without the desire to be elsewhere, is a profound skill.

By cultivating this mindfulness, we can transform our experiences into opportunities for growth and understanding.

Embracing the present allows us to connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

EXERCISE:

What strategies do and can you use to be more present in your life? Consider reading Eckhart Tolle’s classic book The Power of Now if you see value in this effort.

“Remove the mental candy from your environment.”

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“Remove the mental candy from your environment.”

—James Clear, author, entrepreneur, and photographer

Image from Unsplash by Amit Lahav

When was the last time you visited the dentist? If you are like many, the idea of opening your mouth for an hour and having someone  poking around in there seems foolhardy.

I’ve been even more diligent this past year in brushing and flossing, and have avoided popcorn with its frequent rock-hard kernels that are often the source of a dental emergency.

A few of us may even be cutting back on sweets but my guess is that with the need for comfort this year, both actual sweets and a few extra servings of mental candy may have caused some decay.

EXERCISE:

What sources of mental candy are most readily available in your environment? How can you avoid their enticing and addictive qualities by putting them out of reach or eliminating some completely?

“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

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“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.”

—Hillaire Belloc, 20th Century British-French writer and historian

Image from Unsplash by Anastasia Petrova

To what degree are you a wanderer or a traveler? Since most of us are not using trains, planes, or automobiles as often as usual, consider taking a look at your media and social media journeys.

How often do you find yourself surfing the web and giving your remote a workout to fill the time and distract you from boredom or the hard realities we are all facing in this pandemic?

Alternatively, how are you planning your days with intention and focus, to travel paths toward specific destinations and goals?

EXERCISE:

Where and how would more traveling and less wandering through your days lead to a more fulfilling life?

What one specific action will you take today to begin this journey?