How to Avoid Distractions, Prioritize What Matters, and Succeed

First: Identify and realize your №1 priority

Keeping distractions at bay is one of the greatest challenges of our time. There are just too many things that constantly demand our attention, and if we let them, they can pick away at precious time we can never get back.

Time, that would otherwise help us prioritize what matters and make our dreams a reality — If we choose to focus.

Most of us know exactly what our priorities are but fall into this trap and choose to distract ourselves with the most trivial things. It seems easier to pretend they don’t exist than to give up things that bring us temporary pleasure. So, we do just that. We choose to deflect.

Time comes and goes and we remain right where we are — Stagnant. We justify procrastination by creating even more distractions we later use as an excuse to make ourselves feel better.

We keep telling ourselves, later. When later comes, it’s panic time. We regret the wasted time, energy, and feeling like we have let ourselves down.

We say we would do better next time but nine times out of ten, we continue with the same old habit and keep running on that hamster wheel.

We make empty promises to ourselves, even though deep down, we know we are just fooling ourselves. It’s just an elaborate lie.

Focussing on things that are a priority to you may seem like you are missing out on other things, but in reality, you are investing in what’s important. You are doing what it takes to change things and get to the life you want.

You are investing in YOU.

“You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! “— Tony Robbins

So, how do you get out of this toxic habit and start doing what you know?

Define your top priority

What is it that means so much to you and why? Why is it important for you to make sure that you fulfill your top priority?

Spend quality time with yourself and ask the important questions. Questions that will help you identify and realize your number one priority and how you plan to keep it as such.

Learn to sit in silence and focus

Complete silence used to terrify me.

So much so that I would always have some sort of background noise whenever I was alone. It didn’t matter if I was just chilling or doing something important that required my full attention: reading, writing, or working from home for my 9–5. I was hardly left to my own thoughts.

I came to realize how all this unnecessary noise was cluttering my mind and preventing me from completely immersing myself in my work. It was acting as a distraction tool.

It’s time to unplug all your electronic devices and your mind from all other distractions.

Netflix isn’t going anywhere. Social media will still be there when you've done what you're supposed to do.

Allow yourself a few minutes daily to set your intentions

Whether that’s through mediation, breathing exercises, or simply allowing yourself to relax and collect your thoughts.

If meditation isn’t your thing, just think about the outcome you would like to achieve. Get clear on what matters to you.

This will help you get an idea of what you want to get out of your distraction-free time and have a much simpler roadmap that saves you a ton of time when it comes to working on your priority.

Start daily habits

Small daily habits that relate to whatever it is you would like to achieve and can help you get there.

This not only helps you have a routine but also encourages and prompts you to keep at it.

Be realistic. Don’t bite more than you can chew

Most people fail at forming new habits because they often set unrealistic and excessively difficult goals that quickly become unreachable.

Change is hard. Going cold turkey on something that may have been a big part of your day-to-day can be a shock to your system.

Be realistic with your goals and don’t overwhelm yourself, otherwise, you will end up quitting before you’ve even started.

Ease yourself into it. Start small and go bigger as you begin to master certain areas.

Know your limits and don’t overcommit

If you’re anything like me and not very good at saying no, you’re probably driven by keeping other people’s happiness a priority (Something I’m still working on).

Saying no to things that don’t serve you doesn't make you a bad person. Nor does it make you selfish.

If your goal is a priority to you, say no to everything that doesn’t get you to where you want to be in life. So you don’t come up with the classic excuse of “I don’t have time”.

Tim Denning said it perfectly in his recent story. “I don’t have time equals, this is not a priority.”

Your time is very valuable

Don’t fill your daily planner with events and activities that don’t align with your priority. Always value your time because it’s the one thing you can never get back.

Before you write anything in your diary ask yourself:

“Is this a priority for me?”

“How will it serve me, and will it get me closer to my goal?”

If the answer is no, add it to your ‘maybe plans’ (with a big question mark). Plans you only commit to when you have extra time on your hands.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments” — Jim Rohn

Without some level of self-discipline, it’s almost impossible to prioritize and accomplish any goals.

No one is immune to all the distractions that life presents to us. The difference is that some let them eat away at their precious time and others choose to focus on what matters to them the most.

These people know exactly what they want out of life and are willing to put in whatever it takes to get it. They have tremendous willpower and self-discipline that keeps them productive without a fail.

Self-discipline is something that requires ongoing practice. However, once you understand how to consistently control your feelings, emotions, and actions, you will be on your way to success.

Set some time aside for ‘earned distractions’

No need to be so serious all the time, allow yourself some downtime every once in a while.

Once you’ve done what you're supposed to do for the day, let your hair down and reward yourself with a limited time of what you have labeled ‘distractions’. As long as it doesn’t interfere with your new working schedule of course.

I’m not talking about major distractions that don’t serve you at all. But small distractions that in moderation can help uplift you and add to your overall happiness.

Identify your priority. Cut out all distractions.

Be on your way to the life you want.