Why are you distracted?
Your 'why' plays a major role in
In this modern world, distractions are everywhere, from the nonstop ping of notifications to the endless scroll of social media feeds, But why do we surrender to these distractions? The answer often lies in the strength of our WHY. When our WHY—our purpose, passion, meaning, and sense of self—is strong enough, distractions lose their power over us.
Today's digest is about your WHY; that’ll make you indistractable.
Why are you getting distracted?
Because your ‘why’ is not strong enough to punch those distractions.
‘Why’ is your:
Purpose
Passion
Meaning
YOU
Let’s dive into depth and uncover ‘why'—your purpose, passion, meaning, and you. I am going to help you unlock your ‘why’ by making you aware of what your WHY is.
Let’s begin:
PURPOSE: The Foundation of Focus
Purpose is the driving force that pushes us forward. It’s the reason we get out of bed in the morning and the compass that guides our actions. When you have a clear purpose, distractions become mere obstacles in the path rather than invincible barriers.
Consider Malala Yousafzai, whose purpose is advocating for girls' education. Despite facing life-threatening challenges, her unwavering sense of purpose kept her focused on her mission.
As she once said, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
Simon Sinek, renowned author and motivational speaker, emphasizes the importance of purpose in his book Start with Why. He states, “People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.” This quote reveals how a strong purpose can inspire not just ourselves but also others around us.
Try this:
Find out your thing that you think you can stay with it for long, don't go hard, just seek your thing. Remember it can be altered after a time.
PASSION: The Fuel for Persistence
Passion is the intense enthusiasm and love for what you do. It’s what keeps you going when the going gets tough. Passionate people are often seen as unstoppable because their inner fire drives them to push past distractions and setbacks. Passionate people know their distractions and why they get distracted. It's because they usually don't get distracted, as they are so much delve into their passions.
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, was driven by his passion for innovation. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his belief in creating products that could change the world kept him focused.
Jobs famously said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.”
His passion for design and technology helped him stay focused and overcome countless challenges; ultimately, he revolutionized multiple industries in tech.
Oprah Winfrey once remarked, “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” This highlights how passion can provide the energy needed to maintain focus and resist distractions.
Try this:
List out atleast 50 things you like to do always at anytime. After listing, opt out those that you like to do but not good at doing it. Keep opting out and finally find out the thing that excites and energise you the most. That's your passion.
MEANING: The Sense of Significance
Meaning provides a sense of significance and fulfillment in what we do. When our actions align with our values and contribute to something greater than ourselves, distractions become less appealing. Meaning gives us a reason to endure challenges and stay committed to our goals.
BJ Miller, a palliative care physician, offers a profound perspective on finding meaning, especially in the face of adversity. After a life-altering accident that resulted in the loss of his limbs, Miller found new meaning in helping others navigate the end of life with dignity and grace. He believes that even in the most challenging times, finding meaning in our experiences can transform our lives.
In his TED Talk, he says,
“At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? Comfort, respect, love. And the system we have built is perfectly suited to deliver none of these. But we can change that.”
BJ Miller's work highlights how finding meaning can help us stay focused on what truly matters, even amidst distractions and difficulties.
Psychiatrist Carl Jung emphasized the importance of meaning, saying, “The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it.” This perspective underscores how even small, meaningful tasks can outcast larger, meaningless distractions.
Try this:
Find meaning in every single thing because everything has its meaning. And when you start seeking meaning in everything, you'll find yours.
YOU: The Personal Connection
Understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, values, and desires—is crucial in establishing a strong WHY. Self-awareness allows you to align your goals with your true self, making it easier to stay focused and resist distractions. Self-understanding helps you prioritize what truly matters and disregard what doesn't.
Oprah Winfrey’s journey from a troubled childhood to becoming a global media icon is a testament to the power of self-awareness.
She once said,
“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”
By understanding and embracing her unique strengths and passions, Oprah crafted a life aligned with her WHY, enabling her to overcome numerous distractions and challenges.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman, known for his work on emotional intelligence, stated, “Self-awareness is not just about discovering our limitations. It is also about knowing our strengths, and how to best utilize them.” This emphasizes the role of self-awareness in honing our potential and maintaining focus.
Try this:
Know yourself, know your strengths, know your abilities, know your weaknesses, know every single thing about yourself because no distractions can win with you on being you.
Conclusion:
To overcome distractions, start by identifying and strengthening your WHY. Reflect on your purpose, fuel your passion, find meaning in your actions, and stay true to yourself. When your WHY is powerful, distractions will no longer have the same hold over you, allowing you to achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life.
Is it over yet? Am I stopping here?
NO, It's not over yet. I am not stopping here. See, distractions, in modern life, have become a part of it; they are everywhere, and even if you have a strong WHY you can't control them because they are uncontrollable. It can only be managed and to manage it, you need some strategies, which I'll discuss and give to you in part 2 (next Sunday).
Till then, stay here
Enjoy your best
Blessings
If you want to read the past digests, you can read them here.