No Distractions

    As you can tell from the title, I will be discussing "distractions".  Short answer: You don't want them. That's the obvious goal.  However, the concept of eliminating all distractions completely is a severe misnomer that even hyper-focused personality types like yours truly can fall victim to believing and internalizing.  Yes, your eyes must stay on the target you want to achieve, but you need 360-degree focus.  Meaning you can't be nearsighted or farsighted. You need to see the big picture. The goal must remain clear because on a mission, things never go completely as planned. Without a clear goal, any small or large deviation from your original idea can not just become a distraction but can totally derail you from ever achieving anything in the first place.  

    Some distractions can be people.  By now, you're thinking, "Yes, Stoy, I know this", but I need to say it regardless.  The company you keep determines the company you build. From something as important as creating a truthful, functioning environment, down to the personalities of the people you interact with. If the main goal isn't communicated properly or enforced diplomatically, you're going to come up empty.  Meaning if you are a hyper-focused person who works with others, you must understand your personal style and how to properly get the most out of their focus as you possibly can.  Even if their level of intensity doesn't match yours, it is crucial to your goal that you still have other hands on deck to assist and provide useful information that benefits your project as a whole.

    For me, my natural introverted nature is beneficial because of my love of solitude, where I can focus without external factors hampering my progress. A distraction-free zone? Yes! I love it.  The only issue is that my artistic projects and ambitions require other people to be involved.  That creates dilemmas. First, my process will be interrupted due to others' differing work styles. I can no longer focus incrementally; I have to provide overwatch of the group’s efforts while still completing my portion. Secondly, I will have to direct and inspect their output, then critique them on how I want it to turn out in my mind’s eye.  And thirdly, I will have to relinquish some control, which can be a headache for someone who is best motivated singularly and not plurally.  Learning to be strong-minded and unfazed by outside interference is a skill that can be learned through prioritizing focus above all else.  Sometimes it's best to remove oneself from an environment that they know will distract them, even if it appears strange to others.  Being a director is not for everyone, but it is required to complete projects that need a group.  Multi-moving parts must develop in a controlled environment and need someone at the helm steering the ship to its port.  You have to be that captain regardless. It's your project; you must take the lead and oversee it.  

    I hope this post serves you well as you accomplish your goals through eliminating or minimizing distractions. With it being such a modern, busy world, I pray you find some much-needed devoted time for yourself to block out the noise and hone in on your internal well-being as well.  Take care.

"Your focus determines your reality." - George Lucas