Distraction or Opportunity?

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Distraction or Opportunity?

Scott Couchenour • Jan 03, 2021

You could be missing a key point when it comes to distractions.

Maybe it's because I'm staring at my 60th birthday which is coming up in a few short years. Or maybe it's just my disgust at seeing all of the time and money being left on the table due to distracting interruptions. I don't want to waste another minute of my life nor another dollar of my hard-earned money. Would you agree?

DISTRACTIONS

Historically, we have seen distractions as a bad thing. After all, what is a distraction? It's the opposite of traction. DIS-traction. I am really enjoying the quality posts being produced by Nir Eyal on his site, www.nirandfar.com. Take a look at what he says in this post:

"Distraction is a curse of modern life. Between our cell phones and computer screens, not to mention our kids and coworkers, our attention is constantly being diverted. It can become difficult to focus on any one task—or any one person—for very long.

"If anything, the world is becoming a more distracting place. Technology is becoming more pervasive and persuasive. But hoping tech companies change their ways and your boss finally learns to respect your time may take longer than you’re willing to wait. Better to equip yourself to manage distraction with strategies you can implement right away. After all, although distractions aren’t necessarily your fault, managing them is your responsibility." (source)

Here's where I think we may be mission a key point in the discussion regarding distractions. I'll summarize in two main observations:

Not all distractions are truly distractions
What matters is not so much the distractions but what we do when distracted

NOT ALL DISTRACTIONS ARE DISTRACTIONS

Beware, not all distractions are in fact distractions. And I might add, what is distracting to me is not necessarily distracting to you and vice versa. We miss the point when we lump all interruptions into the same category. When we do that, we jump to conclusions and miss the rich new awareness that an interruptions may hold.

For example, let's say I'm trying to figure out the solution to a problem one of my clients is wrestling with. It's taking all my mental capacity and I'm getting tired. Suddenly a child interrupts me with the knock on my door. She's selling Girl Scout cookies. You might think this is further keeping me from being part of my client's solution. But wait, there's more going on.

First of all, the child's exchange of lemon filled cookies for a few bucks has given my mind time to rest from the engagement of the problem at hand. It's like putting down the weights for a moment or two between reps. The muscles have a chance to catch up.

Secondly, let's surmise that something occurred in the exchange of cookies for dollars that contained the very essence of the client's solution.

Now, was the child's interruption a distraction? I think not.

IT MATTERS HOW DISTRACTIONS ARE HANDLED

When a potential distraction comes to you, it matters what you do with it. The sooner you can determine if it's truly a distraction and not an opportunity, the sooner you can take the necessary steps. Here is a subtle but power shift in the questioning you can use when a new thought or suggestion comes along:

Don't ask "yes/no" questions. They constrict your options. When you ask, "Is this a distraction?", you only have 2 options. Either you determine it is a distraction or it's not. That's it. Even though it may in fact be a distraction, you could be missing hidden parts of the distraction that can be useful for your journey.

Instead, ask "how" questions. For example, when you ask, "How could this distract me from my objectives?" or "How could this contribute to my journey?" you can see how many more options open up to you.

Of course, it helps a great deal to already have a sense for where you're headed. That way, you have a backdrop to evaluate opportunities and distractions with greater clarity.

ACTION STEP

List the top 3 distractions you typically fight along your journey of excellence.
Take another look at them and ask yourself, "How could this help me in my journey?"

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Regrets Of The Famous

By Scott Couchenour • 03 Oct, 2024

Throughout history, countless individuals have experienced regret and used it as a catalyst for personal growth and transformation. In this post, we will explore several examples of famous people who have turned their regrets into opportunities for growth, demonstrating the potential for resilience and self-improvement in the face of adversity. Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential media personalities in the world, has faced her share of regrets throughout her life and career. One notable example is her decision to launch the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in 2011, which initially struggled with low ratings and financial challenges. Reflecting on this experience, Oprah acknowledged her regret, stating that she would have done things differently if she had the chance. However, instead of dwelling on her regrets, Oprah used the experience as a catalyst for growth, learning valuable lessons about leadership and business, and eventually turning OWN into a successful network. Michael Jordan Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan has also experienced regret in his life. After retiring from basketball in 1993, Jordan pursued a career in baseball, which many saw as a failure. Jordan later returned to basketball in 1995, and in an interview with ESPN, he expressed regret over his decision to leave basketball in the first place. However, this regret fueled his desire to prove himself once again, ultimately leading him to win three more NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and solidifying his legacy as a legendary athlete. J.K. Rowling J.K. Rowling, the author of the beloved Harry Potter series, has openly shared her regrets and struggles, including her experience with depression and her difficult first marriage. In her now-famous 2008 Harvard commencement speech, Rowling spoke about the importance of embracing failure and using it as an opportunity for growth . She explained that her regrets and setbacks ultimately led her to focus on her true passion—writing—and gave her the determination and resilience to create one of the most successful literary franchises in history. Steve Jobs The late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs experienced a significant regret in 1985 when he was ousted from the company he had built. In a 2005 Stanford commencement speech, Jobs spoke about the pain of being fired from Apple and how it led him to question his abilities and direction in life. However, this regretful experience proved to be a catalyst for growt h, as Jobs went on to found NeXT and Pixar, and eventually returned to Apple, where he revolutionized the technology industry with products like the iPhone and iPad. Robert Downey Jr. Actor Robert Downey Jr.'s career was once marred by substance abuse, arrests, and stints in rehab, leading to a significant downturn in his professional life. In a 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Downey spoke candidly about his regrets, admitting that he had wasted years of his life on addiction. However, instead of allowing his regrets to define him, Downey transformed his life , becoming sober and rebuilding his career to become one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood, known for his iconic role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. These examples demonstrate that even the most successful and influential individuals experience regret, and that with resilience, determination, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes, we can turn our regrets into opportunities for personal growth and transformation .