Dealing with Distractions

Overcoming procrastination and planning your time effectively are closely associated with achieving your goals. What you do on a daily basis affects your outcomes for that week, that month, that year, and so on. Distractions may push you off course and away from your intended goals. A good first step is becoming aware of what distractions trip you up and considering how much control you have over them.

Table 2.1 lists possible distractions that may or may not be a problem for you. Choose Yes (a problem) or No (not a problem) for each one. Then note whether the distraction is controllable or uncontrollable and write down possible solutions.

TABLE 2.1

Distraction Yes (Y) No (N) Controllable (C) Uncontrollable (U) Solutions
Texting/Messaging      
Social media      
Gaming/Videos/Music      
Sports/Hobbies      
Television/Streaming      
Lack of sleep      
Relationships      
Meals/Snacking      
Daydreaming      
Perfectionism      
Errands/Shopping      
Lost items      
Worries/Stress      
Family      
Socializing/Friends      
Multitasking      
Illness, self or others      
Work schedule      
Pleasure reading      

What did you learn about yourself, the distractions that get in your way, and some ideas for taking control? What choices are you willing to make to maximize your time?