I don’t know about you, but I can be easily distracted. Maybe it’s my Piscean nature. Staying focused and on track can be challenging for me, even when I have a goal. So I’ve started asking myself one simple question throughout the day:
“Is what I’m doing now getting me closer to where I want to be tomorrow?”
Since I’ve started asking myself this, I’ve found it has five benefits:
It anchors me: It’s a simple touchstone I can return to again and again to be sure that I’m not losing sight of what I want to accomplish. It anchors me so that my time and energy don’t drift away.
It calms me: Keeping this question in mind is calming and centering. I feel better because I know that I have a simple tool at my command to help me get the most from my day. It’s an antidote to distraction.
It orients me: Asking this keeps me rooted in the present — it invites me to look at what I’m doing in the moment — right now — and see if it’s the most purposeful activity I can be doing.
It focuses me: I’m going to jot this question down on a 3×5 colored index card as a quick reminder to gather myself and concentrate on whatever task I’ve decided I need to being doing to move my writing forward.
It motivates me: If I do find myself off track for whatever reason, this question helps fire me up with renewed purpose. It announces to me that I have a job to do and my job is to do it.
So often, we find ourselves sidetracked for an hour or two or a whole day. An errand takes longer than expected or a problem crops up. Asking, “Is what I’m doing now getting me closer to where I want to be tomorrow?” can help us stay happily on track as we all write on.
Another wise post Karin. Thank you
Hi Terrie,
Thanks so much—so important to stay focused on the now and on moving forward with your work—and all our work!
Write on!
Karin