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Hi Folks, Welcome to Mini Miracles from Minor Moments. This is your host Linda Gullo with a podcast meant to empower you. I treasure the small things in life that fuel us the most. It is the encounters with people that brighten my day. I recognize that even the struggles we experience can bring us the best insight.
So each week I bring you a theme and a few stories for these 10 to 15 minute episodes. The are based on simple ideas with upbeat and hopefully encouraging tidbits for you to take along. My plan is to help you like yourself and to recognize the gifts you have been given. Check out lindagullo.com where you can get the show notes. I also share journaling aids, refer you to good books and offer daily insights. I’d like you to join me by leaving you email, so I can send you free and fun updates.
Well today I have been thinking of so many things. Like you, I am involved in daily life routines that seem to keep me moving at a fast pace. So this whole podcast is to discuss DISTRACTIONS because it is easy to get distracted from our action plans. That has happened to me in the areas of fitness, writing, and just being with friends.
Our distractions seem to multiply if we let them. The first step, as I see it, is to be aware of the obstacles that keep us from succeeding. I am currently trying to focus on my health and catching up on personal appointments. I usually tackle these things during Lent, but I have been on a different schedule this year. Now is a good time to begin checking them off my “to do” list, one at a time.
This week, I called to schedule having my eyes checked. As it turned out there was an opening the next day; no excuses now! So I went in, took care of things, and ordered new glasses. Why had I put it off? Fear of having something wrong was number one. Having it on my agenda was number two. And the expense, well sooner or later I needed to address it! But it’s over and I felt good having completed one thing.
3 months ago I started using Fitbit and have successfully tracked my steps every day; aiming for constant improvement. Now I will go up to the next level I scheduled for myself. I signed up for a membership at Planet Fitness and plan to start next week.
It may not sound like an excuse, but I usually care for everyone else and put myself last. Caring for others is a big distraction from self care. I do so much that I run out of time for me. And I bet that is true for you too.
My thinking gets distorted. Sometimes I think it will take too much time. Or it will cost too much to do what I want. A few years ago I decided I needed a vacation. AS SOON AS, I made the decision, things slipped into place. I began making phone calls, found a traveling partner, and got someone in place to cover the business. A granddaughter stepped up to plate to stay with my husband. My daughter in law and a friend would be checking on them as well. Next I ordered the plane tickets and got the tour planned. Suddenly we were on our way out of the Portugal to enjoy sites and meet new people. The trip was fun as we ended up with a Rotary group that had been in Spain and decided to add on time. Nothing was going to distract me from getting away once I made up my mind. I became fully focused.
Then there are my beloved Blogs which seem to address many ideas that can help us think things through and help us prioritize. Well, as I have been writing more this past week, I have also decided to reconnect with those people that I really enjoy. (Writing helps us find clarity). I have been scheduling in time for my friends for lunch or breakfasts. It means I have to be more accountable with the clock, but now my schedule is filling up with fun things to do. I need to stay engaged with people. I have been in the virtual world lately and crave one on one time with good friends.
At times even music can keep us from focusing and it has probably happened to you too. We begin to sing the lyrics or think of the message its sharing. It’s the power of suggestion that alters our thinking for that moment. Like an aroma from the kitchen that calls us to eat the fresh cookies, we are taken away from the current task at hand.
I have noticed that even when I am trying to be productive, I find distractions seem to pop up! These distractions are all around. The mail comes and there are literally 8 to 10 catalogues trying to sell me things that I don’t need. Yet it so easy to start reading them and poof suddenly 40 minutes of time is wasted. Another pile of paper is created to carry offer to recycling. At least it will benefit others if I take it to our church for bins. They recycle tons of paper for cash to help those in need with their expenses. See how easy it is to get distracted?
The daily newspaper, which I recently reordered was meant to keep on top of the community events. When it comes– and I scan the major topics, eliminate the advertisements, read the obituaries and say a quick prayer for those who have died. I find since I renewed it, I then get caught up again with the Sudoku and puzzles. That is also time that I could have used for something else.
Yesterday I sat down at the computer to write a blog. I like to do that early, but I became distracted when the phone began ringing. The first call was a google sales call and it totally removed my train of thought. To refocus was difficult.
Doing billing, filling out insurance forms, and returning phone calls is also essential so I tackle those things immediately. I am always attempting to keep focused. I eventually did get back to the blogging site.
In trying to prioritize, I actually folded up my sewing machine earlier this week. I have decided that this old hobby is not enjoyable when I have to rush doing projects. I will have to return to it after the Holidays, unless something essential needs mending—because for now I have to work on my blogsite and podcasting episodes.
You are perhaps in a similar spot. Working to create a good income, trying to put family first, and staying healthy. Distractions seem to creep in here too. All it takes is one cancelled appointment or flaw in the schedule and things get lost causing us to regroup and strategize.
Tranquility
I have and continue to schedule time in each day for prayer. For time to meditate and filter things out. When I get off of that routine, I really seem to lose it all. I get irritable and feel overwhelmed. It is during this time I find encouragement, guidance, and direction. This quiet time allows me to hear the roar of the Holy Spirit.
At home distractions are even worse. The doorbell rings with some silly sales interruption. The dog needs to go out, as soon as, I have settled in to read a book. I look at the clock and realize my stomach and the clock are telling me it is time to eat. Then there is clean up time, brushing my teeth, before getting back to the project at hand.
I am trying to escalate my on line presence in order to connect with people more on a regular basis and coach more people. I want to help you recognize your strengths and step ahead too. But I am sharing this because we are all the same in so many ways.
We want to be productive, happy and enjoy life.
SO here are a few tips that might help:
1- Don’t become a slave to your phone, emails, or distractions. One of my coaches suggested to stop looking at emails until I get to the office. This has helped me and I hope it helps you. We don’t have to be a slave to those communications on an hourly basis.
2- DO WHAT YOU HAVE PLANNED!
Next I take care of what is scheduled and then go to emails. I rather be in control of those on my time line. I discard all the advertisements and unfollow or delete them. If they are spam–well it is GOODBYE!!
I schedule post office runs into my routine so all my mail gets out. Billing is done daily for insurance billing and any bills due are processed before I leave the office.
3- USE A TEMPLATE
I have been learning that those who do the most and are the most efficient, use templates. So I have started creating my own templates to get things done well.
Every night I go to my template for the next day and fill it out. If you are interested in a copy, please feel free to email for it and I will send it to you. It is so very helpful. It’s short and to the point.
I print out a dz at a time and have them readily available. At night I fold it in half and carry it around before I go to bed, to add on things as they come to mind. They have become an efficient lifesaver.
4- SCHEDULE IN LEARNING TIME. I am a webinar learner in addition to CEU classes. I have learned that I allow 2-3 Webinars a week at the most or I lose too much time. Schedule in time to read, to watch TV, to learn, & phone time with family members. I have to eat so I am scheduling in visits with my friends during those times.
So here is a toast to fewer distractions for you.
Until next week, stay true to yourself. Thank you for listening and for the kind feedback I have received. Know you can reach me at www.lindagullo.com. Feel free to sign up for the upcoming PDF’s on various topics, and handouts that will be coming regularly after the 1st of the year. Recognize the good people around you, the small joys that carry you forward and the laughable moments. Look for those Mini Miracles the help you to “Delight in Living®.” Bye for now and have a great week.