No Distractions

“By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal .”

Christopher Columbus

"Happiness can only be found if you can free yourself of all other distractions."

Saul Bellow

"I think we can be successful. Staying focused is the main thing; there are a lot of distractions out there."

Kim Jones

I’m going to try to do two things in the next few minutes:

1. I’m going to try to write one more blog before going to bed.
2. I’ m going to try to write without stopping.
3. I’m going to not let anything distract or interrupt me.

Now I know what Yoda said in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back:  “Do or do not.  There is no try.” 

I like that quote; I’ve often used it myself.  But trying is all I can do.  I know my habits and flaws and weaknesses.  I’m not making excuses for them or justifying them.  I just know them.  And for me to say that I’m going to write without pause, distraction or interruption, well, that’s saying a lot.

But here I am trying anyway.  I’ve toyed with the idea for a while now.  I’ve often been told that the first draft should be written straight through and then I go back and edit it.  But I hate those little red and green lines under the words where Microsoft believes I made a mistake.  So I go back and edit right away.  That’s probably not going to change.  I choose not to change that for now.

But what about the interruptions and distractions?  Well, that I have a little better control over, but only a little.  I recognize that my ADHD or my ADHD-like symptoms make it difficult for me to keep one thought in my head at a time.  Still, I’m doing my best to not give in to checking Facebook or e-mail.  This is not easy for me.  Right now my phone just buzzed and I’m dying to check it.  But I’m not going to; I’m going to keep writing. 

Why am I doing all this anyway?  Well, I’m writing another blog so that I can get closer to my goal.  I don’t have to.  I may not even reach my goal, but I’m going to do my best.  After this, if I’m still tired, I can go to bed.  If I’m not, maybe I can watch a movie.   Either way I will enjoy sleep or a movie more if I can just be diligent and focused for a few more minutes. 

Here’s the thing:  every time I write a blog, the following happens:

1.     I get closer to my goal.

2.     I strengthen my writing skills.

3.     I feel better about myself.

4.     I have one more blog that I will enjoy reading.

With regard to that last statement, I don’t want to be immodest, but I really enjoy reading my own work.  I almost always have.  Now I’ve written over 120 blogs.  And so far, I enjoy reading all of them.  Even if no one else reads them, I can enjoy them.  According to the numbers, not a lot of people are reading them, but that’s okay.  I’m going to keep working and keep writing until I get the results I want.  And as I said, I enjoy reading them.  It’s fun to create something, almost anything good that brings joy and assistance to others and say, “Wow!  I did that!”  That’s how I often feel when I read my blogs.  And this doesn’t lead to conceit.  Just the opposite.  It’s a very humbling experience to see your own work.  I know I’m the one sitting here at the keyboard, but I still believe these words and this work comes from a power far greater than me.  I’m not a creator of this work; I’m a co-creator at best.

I think that’s part of the beauty of being in Purpose – watching something supernatural work through me.  I think that’s why I enjoy reading my own work so much – it’s not really mine.

I’m falling asleep now so I’m ready to finish.  I am happy because I kept my promise to myself.  I worked without allowing interruptions or distractions.  And I finished this blog in record time.  Now my time is mine.  But tomorrow morning when I wake up I will Get Started and I will Keep Going.