Focus and Distraction – ElPropósito3 min de lectura

The biggest obstacle to what we long for is distraction

Photo by Elena Taranenko on Unsplash

We live in an age full of distractions, especially the kind that pull us away from our purpose. We owe it to ourselves, and to humanity, to make the most of our talents and of every resource we’ve been given, time above all. The fewer distractions we allow, the more of our talent we can deliberately put to work. How do we concentrate, and what for?

Hard as it may be to believe, the biggest distraction comes from within. You can’t expect to move forward in life with a distracted mind, and you can’t expect to deliver a strategy when everyone in an organization is distracted. By distraction I mean the time we spend in the present with our thoughts in the past and the future, and still stuck.

Distraction is a veil that keeps us from seeing ahead, and it may be one of the biggest drains on our energy and time. A focused mind comes from trusting in doing what’s in our hands, knowing it’s much more effective and powerful than rehearsing scenarios that may never happen. Even so, steady focus also means looking up regularly to see the whole forest.

Distraction is a serious weakness that drains the best of our potential. It calls for a purpose that gives us focus and lets us move forward. A plan, a goal or a strategy without purpose will never get executed, and believing that isn’t enough. We have to live it. We need to live more in the present, more anchored to a purpose, and to focus our attention, as Dr. Mario Alonso Puig puts it, "on achieving what you want. Focus on what you want, and stop trying to avoid what you fear"

Warm regards and all the best,

Rodrigo Baccaro

• P.S. This week’s VELA:
• What I was watching: King Charles III addresses the world. Without a doubt, one of the most moving stories this week was the death of Queen Elizabeth, an example of a true legacy. I admire the traditions of the United Kingdom, and this passing of the crown is no exception
  – What I was listening to: Effects of Fasting & Time Restricted Eating on Fat Loss & Health. Another one from Huberman Lab. I really liked this explanation of fasting and its effects
  – What I was reading: El economista callejero (The Street Economist). I’m still on this book. It’s fascinating, and it will stay with me for the rest of my life. I admire the author’s work in his country, and I also applaud the democratic decision the Chilean people recently made to reject the new constitution
  – What I was learning: Controlling Your Dopamine For Motivation, Focus & Satisfaction. Huberman Lab is a solid discovery for me in 2022. I started with this episode, already one of the best I’ve heard this year. Highly recommended

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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