Distractions
I’m afraid in a world where distractions and comfort are omnipresent, it’s easy to lose sight of our dreams and goals. From our mobile devices to streaming services, their is no end to the opportunities for distraction. No wonder we have a hard time staying focused and committed towards our aspirations.
But amidst the chaos, we still have an opportunity to embrace discomfort and pursue our dreams. I constantly navigate the barrage of distractions. I confront work and family obligations and the allure of comfort-inducing activities daily. Despite this, I’ve learned to carve out fulfilling moments of focused effort. No matter how small.
In 2011 I was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. I have used this classification to recognize and confront my distractions when they appear. And I don’t always defeat them. But I’ve come to realize that intermittent, semi-focused effort is often enough to make progress towards our goals. I’ve learned that it’s unrealistic to expect ourselves to operate at peak productivity 24/7.
60% Effort
Instead, I’ve learned to embrace the concept of “60% effort” towards side projects. Sometimes I can put out 80% and sometimes it’s only 40% or less. But if we simply show up and do something…anything…that has got to be considered enough in this busy, distracted world. Whether it’s writing a few pages of a book or dedicating five minutes to a passion project, every small step forward is a victory worth celebrating.
Wait 60% effort? I thought Tony Robbins, Eric Thomas and Les Brown wanted something closer to I dunno?? 100%!! They’re not wrong, but perhaps not entirely realistic when we consider everyone’s busy and distracted lives in modern times. I came up with the concept of 60% as a simple antidote to the unattainable goal of constant perfection.
You are not perfect! I am not perfect! Even Christopher Walken is not perfect (he’s pretty close though)! Why do we continue to punish ourselves for not hitting our targets 100% of the time? For not meeting someone else’s expectations of us? Especially when having 60% talent operated by a 60% brain utilizing 60% effort was enough for me. 60% effort and ability took me to places my high school councilor never would have imagined. Yes! The same moron who had to repeat grade 12 due to failing Home Ec became a fully fluent Mandarin Interpreter-Translator in Taiwan, a master’s degree holder, a Regional Manager at a fortune 500 company, a semi-pro soccer player in Scotland, and is now a professional keynote speaker. All with just 60%.
So, if you find yourself overwhelmed by distractions and struggling to pursue your goals or dreams, remember this: progress is progress, no matter how small.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
~Lao Tzu
