Change is essential for your growth and development as a person and leader. If there is something that you don’t like about yourself or the direction your life is going, you have the power to change. Sounds simple. But, as anyone who has ever tried to change, knows it is far from simple or easy.
Change can be slow, frustrating, and discouraging, but it can also be exciting, exhilarating and energizing. Whether being a better parent, building your confidence to start a business or dealing with life’s distractions effectively, change is the most difficult, yet rewarding thing you will ever do.
Are you squandering your minutes, hours, days, months and years with meaningless distractions or are you pursuing a plan to live out your purpose?
Don’t let the distractions win. Don’t get stuck in the preparation step. Don’t keep doing what you hate just to get by. It is time to dig deep and find the drive and determination to change the direction of your life.
3 Distractions
There are many distractions that can interfere with you making changes in your life. In this post, I want to briefly discuss three distractions I have seen repeatedly play out in my life and others I have talked to.
Listening to Naysayers
There will always be people who tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams. They will remind you of where you come from. They will constantly bring up what you did yesterday. They will tell you that you don’t have the right experience or education.
There are the naysayers who will provide the statistical data to tell you what you desire to do is impossible. They are afraid to make changes in their life so they speak negative commentary in your ear to hinder your progress.
And then there is that little voice inside of your own head that says, “I am inadequate, what am I doing, I don’t know enough or who is going to listen to me.” Don’t listen to it! Believe in what you can do and move forward.
Visualize your success. Persevere through the negativity. Get around progressive and positive minded people who will help you pursue your dreams.
Unfocused
Nothing great ever comes easy, it takes committed effort and consistent action. You are bound to make mistakes as part of the process. You will encounter turbulence that will make you want to throw in the towel. You will hit roadblocks that will force you to rethink how you do things.
There will always be something or someone to try to distract your focus. I know it is hard to focus forward when you are constantly bombarded by life’s distractions. You must fight through the temptation to give up on your goals. I know it is cliché to say, ‘life will get better’. But, believe it or not life will get better.
I found that keeping focused on my goals and how to accomplish them helps me stay motivated during hard times. I constantly remind myself that my hard work will pay off and that the hardships are part of the process to reach my goals.
Perfectionism
Don’t wait for things to be perfect to live your dreams. I tried to have all of my ducks in a row, but I quickly found out no matter how much I tried one would always get out of line. Instead of producing, I was always preparing to produce.
Perfectionism had become my crutch. I could not get anything significant accomplished because I was constantly redoing and restructuring. After years of stalling out because I tried to make things perfect, I finally came to the conclusion that I was chasing a lie. Nothing is perfect.
If you wait until things are perfect, you will always be in a state of waiting. It’s about excellence, not perfection. Deliver the best you can with what you have and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Share your struggles with a trusted friend who will encourage you through the process.
“The most effective way to manage change is to create it.” Peter Drucker
Question: What distractions have gotten in the way of you making positive life changes? Leave a comment.
—
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join like-minded individuals in The Good Men Project Premium Community.
◊♦◊
◊♦◊
Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
◊♦◊
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
—