Hint: It’s not time. It’s not money.
Think about it – advertisers, marketers, media, self-help gurus, this post and even your loved ones – they are not fighting for your money or time, they are fighting for your precious attention. The less awareness you place upon it, the more likely it’s gonna be stolen.
Seeing attention as an asset is the first step to accountability. I can argue that time and money might be beyond my control, but surely my attention is mine and mine alone.
Losing it causes sufferings.
Remember all those times we wonder what did I do for the entire day? Or launch into guilt and shame because we wish we were more present with our family? Or all that time wasted on social media?
The ability to commit to what matters.
How well you uphold your own attention directly relates to your ability to commit to a new diet, a new exercise regime, a new habit, a project, a dream. And it is a skill that can be learned and practiced daily. My journey of training my attention began unconsciously through yoga practice, and afterwards consciously through my mindfulness practice.
The great thing is, you don’t have to be perfect at it.
Being as imperfect as I am, with the occasional Netflix and social media binging, it still transformed my well-being, my sense of abundance, my routine, my relationships, my down moments.
Don’t believe the tales saying you are born easily distracted.
Even if you were (I know I was), it is a perfectly learnable skill. Befriend and master your attention so you may pepper your life with what matters, allowing stability and stillness when you need, and energy and action when wisdom calls.
Comment below: When are you most easily distracted? What are the ‘hooks’ that will draw you away from what you want to focus on?
