Do you know the biggest thing holding you back from taking action? Can you take a guess? 😅
Yep. Distractions.
In 2022, there are a lot of things that can grab your attention. You might have family or friends who call on the phone or text you constantly. You could see what's trending online (especially if you're an influencer), or you could have your hands full with mundane tasks like cleaning up around the house, doing laundry and other household chores, etc.
The common denominator? They all suck up your time and don't help you accomplish anything meaningful or productive. To make sure your time is maximized in 2022, here are four distractions that you should keep an eye on:
Media
Media refers to social media engagement, surfing reels, timelines, or stories. It also refers to streaming entertainment like Netflix, Youtube, HBO or Disney+. Lastly, media covers everything web: news, trends, you name it.
Sadly, these things are ALWAYS in our faces, so there is no running away from them without some intention. Let's face it; it is much easier (and enjoyable 😀) to scroll through your phone than exercise or complete that article.
I use these tips to take back control: disable notifications across all social media platforms. This way, I only check during my breaks; keep my phone from sight when I need to focus on a task - in another room or my desk drawer.
If you must work on your phone, use the DnD feature to block all sounds and notifications. If you want to be drastic, uninstall all social apps from your phone and only access them via the desktop.
Motion
Motion is when you spend time "planning" or "researching" a task rather than doing it. For example, if you want to take the IELTS exam but are spending time researching tutors, study groups, successful candidates, etc., three months later, you have not registered for the exam.
Don't get me wrong, motion can be helpful, but only action leads to results. Motion makes us feel like we are taking action to delay failure, which is a powerful distraction. I still catch myself doing this sometimes and applying the brakes. Fast.
What can help is to break up your goals into tasks with due dates. Using the same IELTS goal, you can break it into five tasks: research and select a tutor, complete all tutorials, and practice, achieve a score of XYZ, register and pay for the exam, and take the exam. This way, you don't get stuck in task A for the next six months.
Family and friends
Woah. Hold your horses, I come in peace 😀 but we can't not talk about this. Spending time with your family and friends is good, and I encourage everyone to make it a habit. However, it would be best if you established clear boundaries with your resources.
Resources are your time, money, and energy—all of which you need to complete your tasks and achieve your goals. A schedule is the best management tool I have found to have worked for me. This tool helps me set aside time for work, family and friends during the day, including distractions.
Mundane Tasks
Do you know those tasks you insist on doing yourself that can either be outsourced or not done? Yep. Those.
Mundane is relative, so I will define them as tasks that sap your energy and don't move you towards your goals. For me, physical grocery (large) shopping is a no-no. The time and mental effort are greater than the savings and thank God for grocery delivery services now. You decide what those are for you.
Another one for me is the time spent making sure my carrot sizes match. 😩 Oh gosh…I can't believe I spent some time in my life making sure my vegetable sizes were perfect. No more. Now, if the size is edible and good enough, I move.
Takeaway
The hard truth is that the distractions are coming, and there's no way to stop them. However, you can control how you react to them. The suggestions listed above should help you cut down on the time-sucking activities you don't care about and start doing things that will make a real difference in your life.