Squirrels

[The Way of Distraction - I]

If you’re like me, the squirrels are always out there to chase. All it takes is a glance, and half the day is gone to chasing those darn gray varmints that scurry around trees, hide behind rocks, and climb limbs like acrobats.

Of course, I’m talking about distractions.

I remember a friend telling me that every hour, on the hour, she has a distraction routine. (Yes, you read that correctly.) She gets up and walks toward the vending machine. She checks for change left behind and slides to the right to the water fountain for a sip of water. Then she crosses the hall, goes in the restroom to check her hair, and takes inventory of her bladder. (It’s usually empty.) She returns to her desk, checks her personal email (social media is blocked) and finally gets back to work.

For cogs in a wheel, "distraction routines” are a necessary escape.

For people like us, a distraction is enemy territory—it steals our time, derails our focus, whittles away at our fortitude.

How do you beat the distractions? Start by being honest about the work from which you’re wanting to escape.