Almost every day we set goals for ourselves, be it waking up early/ exercising for 30minutes/ eating healthy/ finishing an assignment/ just having to buy groceries. But we don't see it through and procrastinate till the last moment that we can get by with. This is because setting goals does not automatically mean accomplishing them, you need to plan on how you are going to realise them. And with the distractions that are all around us, we almost lose track of what we want to accomplish for the day, in the first place. With a hundred things calling for our attention, how do we shut out distractions and narrow our focus, is all that we will be covering in this blog post.
Now, when we think of distractions, most of us think of them as bad/unproductive, but that's not necessarily true. Because someone like me, who does not like to engage in counterproductive habits, will procrastinate productively. For instance, instead of going for a walk and exercising, I procrastinate and put off by reading just one more article/book. Recently, I've been doing this frequently enough that it has become a habit in itself.
So let's define distractions. Distraction is anything productive/unproductive, good/bad that stirs you away from your goals. Anything/ anyone from your parents/friends/your day job could be a distraction. Not knowing what a distraction is, most of us get scooped by them. This is why it's so important to first know what the potential distractions to your goals could be and how to tackle them when you encounter them. So that when you do encounter them, you know how to handle them and not let them deter you.
For instance, if you set a goal to eat healthy foods and cut out the carbs and sugars for, let's say the next 30 days. The first thing that you need to do is list out the foods that you will be eating and the foods that you will avoid at all cost. Clearly define your 'No's'. Make a list of 'No's'. So that when someone invites you to a wedding/party/an event, you are prepared, and know how to go about it without having to give in to the temptation. Because in the spur of the moment, your brain does not think consciously but immediately reacts based on your autopilot/ default mode.
And this is when your prepared list of 'No's' comes handy to save you from defaulting. Now, I'm not telling you to pass on these events and miss out on fun. I'm just telling you how not to lose track in spite of all the obligations and deadlines that we are swamped with. So here's how I would do it. I would first make a list of healthy food that I should be eating, then I would make a list of unhealthy foods that I will definitely not be eating. In addition, I prepare for any unexpected events/circumstances that could potentially derail my diet goal.
Like, if I'm invited to a birthday party in the next 30 days. I would attend the party, wish my friend well, catch up with my other friends and leave without eating. So in this way, I'm not missing my friend's birthday party, nor am I avoiding socialising. One more factor that plays a significant role in achieving your goals is stating your 'WHY'. Why do you want to go on a healthy diet? And what are the reasons for avoiding certain foods? Your 'WHY' helps you to successfully maintain your healthy diet without giving in to temptation.
For instance, I don't eat white sugar. And my 'WHY' for not eating it is because white sugar is also called 'The White Death' because it increases ageing of cells, lowers your immunity and leads to obesity and metabolic diseases amongst the many other ill effects. In the same way, I encourage you to educate yourself about what is healthy and what is unhealthy instead of falling prey to food fads. Read research articles and studies done about your favourite foods, so that you are aware of the effects of the foods that you are taking. And know your 'WHY' for any goal that you would like to accomplish.
Lastly, make time for your goals. Set a specific slot of the day to take steps towards your goals. Be it exercise/reading/batch making healthy foods/drinking a healthy smoothie. By allocating time to your goals, you're stating your intention, and that accomplishing your goals is your priority. You are telling yourself and the world that you are committed and determined to see it through. As the saying goes "what doesn't get scheduled, doesn't get done!"
To summarise, set 'SMART' goals (specific, measurable, achievable and relevant), make a list of 'NO's', prepare for potential distractions that might catch you off-guard, state your 'WHY's' and make time for your goals. Apply these principles to your lofty goals and you too will be accomplishing them in no time.
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