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.
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.
1. 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 who God designed you to be.
Visualize your success. Persevere through the negativity. Get around progressive and positive minded people who will help you achieve your dreams.
2. 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.
3. Perfectionism
Don’t wait for things to be perfect to live out 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 life distractions have gotten in the way of you making life changes? Leave a comment.
Barb Raveling says
Haha, my ducks haven’t even begun to line up, Bernard! Am learning to deal with it, though. I’ve made big improvements in the last year – accepting imperfection is a much more peaceful way to live life – on the days I do it!
Bernard Haynes says
I hear you, Barb.
floyd says
I tend to be a perfectionist too. But I did learn not to listen to the negative people a long time ago. I find that same group to be the ones who always talk about things but never do anything about it. Action is the necessary ingredient for success. Good list, Bernard.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks Floyd. You are right most people who speak negativity don’t do anything, but sit around and discourage others. Action is the key.
Dan Black says
These are defiantly three vision distractions.
I’ve been know to be a perfectionist. I want everything to be perfect before doing or releasing a post or project. It was a huge struggle when releasing my book but I was able to set and follow through with the goals I set.
Great thoughts!
Bernard Haynes says
You did a great job. I am glad you got through the perfection and shipped.
Dan Black says
Thank you. me too:)
TCAvey says
perfectionism trips me up. I’m learning that sometimes things will never be “perfect”. I’m learning to live with uncertainty, to take chances, to risk making mistakes.
Bernard Haynes says
Perfectionism seems to be a big hindrance for a lot of us. You said it best, if a person is willing to take risks and get over making mistake then we can accomplish great things. I was reading a book by a well known author and their were several errors, but his book still sold about 5 million copies. Keep moving forward even through mistakes and fear.
TCAvey says
I like finding errors like that- it helps me realize that we are all human. Things can still be awesome and have some flaws. Nothing is perfect except God.
Loren Pinilis says
I love your thoughts here on fighting life’s distractions. So often, we’ll tune in to those distractions when the going gets tough because we’re afraid or we’re uncomfortable. But we’ve got to keep that focus.
Bernard Haynes says
You are correct. I have often lost to life’s distractions because I did not keep my focus. That is one of the things I constantly pray about is to keep my focus through the distractions.
Barb Raveling says
This is so funny, Bernard. It looks like I already commented on this more than a year ago, but I needed to hear that part on perfectionism again – thank you!
Bernard Haynes says
Barb, I reposted this article because I thought it was perfect for the New Year. How are things?
Vivian Lyons says
Very good article! Thank you for reposting. Yes a New Year to do some New things and get some new things out of life.