This comic from the Pickles comic website is an excellent reminder of two of our biggest struggles in accomplishing our goals: shiny objects and mild discomfort.
Shiny objects represent anything that distracts us. It can be something important or it can be something meaningless, but the result is the same. If we become distracted then we are not presently focused on what we are trying to achieve. The solution is simple but not always easy: FOCUS. When you sit to work on something of value, block out the plethora of other things that can grab your attention. Put your cell phone on silent and don’t look at it until you have completed the day’s portion of the activity. Don’t have any other browsers open on your computer…no facebook or any other sight that could beckon to you until your are done. Let the people around you know that you cannot be disturbed for a period of time unless it’s a true emergency. And dial in and go to work.
Mild discomfort is another animal that you will encounter on a consistent basis if you are doing anything of value. The kind I am speaking of is the “feeling” you get when you are about to take a step that challenges you or is new to you. People who achieve little in life, turn away from the task when this feeling arises. They blow it out of proportion and think about all the potential negative outcomes. Hence, by turning away for fear of the negative outcomes, they guarantee the most negative outcome possible….NO GROWTH.
Any mild discomfort should be viewed as an opportunity for personal growth. Because that is exactly what it is. Everything you comfortably do in your life now, at some point you were uncomfortable and unsure in doing it. Remember this rule…discomfort equals opportunity for growth. Soon, the thing you feel uncomfortable with will be comfortable because you have done it multiple times. Then you will need to pursue the next measure of mild discomfort. It is essential for success. So, the simple solutions for this is: RECOGNITION. Recognize this as the opportunity that guarantees growth, move forward in your FOCUSED way, and grab your dreams.
