This week I’m reading a book called, Your One Degree by Dave Jewitt.
The book is based on the Your One Degree coaching program and curriculum, which I’ve been a fan and student of for years. And of which, a few months ago, I completed the certification for being a coach for it myself.
But I hadn’t yet read the book.
So I finally decided to start reading the book and instantly I started gaining some powerful insights.
The main idea I want to share is the concept of distractions. No matter what you learn or do, if you fail to overcome habits and lifestyle choices that produce distraction you will not make it far.
Last week, I talked about overcommitments, which is related and one type of distraction, but today we look beyond the surface to the real issue.
The older I get the more I realize that success or progress isn’t made by unique giftings or random once in a lifetime opportunities. But it happens from simple steady commitments. Decisions that protect our mind and attention. Choices that we reenact everyday.
Like the story of the hare and the tortoise, “slow and steady wins the race.” But who gets excited about being “slow and steady?”
Also there are the illustrations about the prize fighter or athlete who wins, not on the day of the battle. But the victory was gained during the weeks and months of disciplined training when they refused to cut corners, sleep in or give up.
When I was reading the book, Your One Degree, specifically the small section on common distractions, I felt that I needed to reflect and blog about it.
As I read over the list of six items, I intimately understood how powerful distractions can hinder progress and growth.
If you have ever felt stuck, or that your life has gone in circles? Or perhaps, disabled by little annoying foxes, then you can understand what I mean.
It isn’t the big and the fancy. It’s very common distractions that try to perpetuate lethargy and mediocrity.
So, without further delay, here are the six lifestyle distractions:
1. Excessive busyness — rarely slowing down.
2. Over-commitment — saying “yes” too much.
3. Constant entertainment — seeking joy and comfort in amusement or escape.
4. Unnecessary complications — the result of ignoring biblical principles causes you to always have to put out fires.
5. Career pressure — striving to “make it”
6. Financial pressures — scrambling to cover the bases and take care of ourselves.
The way we overcome these distractions can vary from person to person, however, the most important principle we all need to have is a revelation of who we are and what we were created to do.
To lack this understanding causes both a frustration with our life and a resolution to satisfy the need in unnatural ways.
Our motivation becomes based on fear and worry, making our efforts (result in) desperation. Or …we experiment and replace effectiveness with mere activity. Or… we’ve operated out of being someone else for so long that our soul looks to numb the pain of buried disappointment.
All of these scenarios come from the same root, ignoring or neglecting our true self. Our God given design. Simply put our “One Degree”.
Note: We are really talking about lifestyle not knowledge. You may claim to “know” who you are, but if you are have not decided nor created a life based upon this knowledge you’re no better than the one who has no idea.
Or maybe you are worse off because you know everyday that you are living divorced from the man or woman you were created to be. You live a compromised, privately hypocritical life.
Now, if you read my blog regularly, you know I constantly struggle with this as well. But each time a write and publish a new post, that is one way that I’m fighting the tendency to procrastinate or self sabotage myself with various distractions.
So please don’t feel ashamed. But keep fighting. Get help if you can. Check out http://YourOneDegree.com for 100% FREE coaching as well.
Please share your thoughts below if you have overcome distractions and discovered a way to keep pressing towards your dreams.
Create a great day!
Arvell