Searching For Distraction

Have you ever found yourself… searching for distractions? 

I know, it sounds like a really senseless and weird thing to do. And maybe I’m the only one who does it.

I don’t WANT to do it. I WANT to be focusing on my work. I want to be churning out thousands of words a day on my creative projects. I want to be leaping into the future of my own creativity!

And yet, here I sit on Facebook, actively keeping myself from doing the work I need (and WANT) to be doing.

Because distractions are EASY. Writing a quick social media post feels like a fun, quick task that allows me to check something off of a list. It gives me a sense of immediate gratification and accomplishment.

Distractions are also affirming — and addictive. My brain gets so many wonderful dopamine hits every time I see a “like” or a heart on one of my posts! And when someone responds to one of my texts? DELIGHT.

Protecting myself from distraction is active, not passive, which means I have to take active steps to prevent the distraction (which, as we’ve established, is easy, fun, affirming, and fulfilling). I have to shut my office door, set my phone to “Do Not Disturb”, and push all of those “urgent” tasks away from the forefront of my brain. It’s HARD — harder than I care to admit.

What’s harder still is focusing and doing the important work. The actual work that may not necessarily be immediately gratifying, but will be meaningful, purpose-driven, and fulfilling in the long term. Work that takes careful thought, and intense work, and frequent forays into the unknown.

So… what do you do when you find yourself searching for and giving in to distractions? Do you let yourself go? Do you shut it down immediately? How do YOU get your best work done?

Words & warmth,

Sarah