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Writer's pictureRobert Stevenson
Nov 17

The Death of Progress


"Distractions are the

enemy of excellence." 


I love that quote. It was made by Robin Sharma, who is considered one of the Top 5 Leadership Experts in the world, as well as an internationally acclaimed bestselling author—someone we can all learn from. Let’s expand on that statement with a few more thoughts:


  • "Distraction is the death of progress."

  • "Focusing is about saying 'no' to distractions."

  • "A distracted mind will never accomplish great things."

  • "You can't do big things if you're distracted by small things."


I’m sure you’re getting my point on how I feel about distractions—they are one of the biggest obstacles to personal growth and productivity. In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, they come in many forms: social media, work emails, and unnecessary obligations.


One of the most pervasive distractions today is technology. Smartphones, apps, and social media platforms are designed to capture and hold our attention, often leading to endless cycles of scrolling, checking notifications, and engaging in superficial interactions. While these tools can be useful, they also pull us out of the present moment, reducing our ability to focus on important tasks. The constant bombardment of information can overwhelm our minds, making it harder to concentrate on anything.


I’ve found myself many times looking something up on Google, only to get distracted by headlines and end up reading further. It’s like the “Distraction Devil” is sitting atop my monitor, dangling “Distractions” at me. I’m instantly off task, reading something that will not help me accomplish my daily goals. Shame on me for succumbing to that miserable, tantalizing, devious creature… there only to slow me down and get me off track.


Then we have Self-doubt—distraction. Negative thinking—distraction. Social interactions—distraction. The list can go on and on. So, what can we do about it? American inspirational speaker and author Esther Hicks once said, "What you focus on expands." Oh, I like that statement. If I stay focused, it will expand. Now we’re talking. That is a great reason not to let that Google headline suck me away from my task-at-hand.


We must learn to recognize and manage these distractions. We must cultivate our focus, set boundaries, and establish strategies for overcoming the distractions that hold us back. To stay on task, sometimes we need reminders of the importance of NOT BEING DISTRACTED. I don’t care if you put a small adhesive tag on the top of your monitor that says, “Don’t do it!” Put it right by where your little “Distraction Devil” sits, so you’ll see it right before you lose focus.


You can’t let distractions take you away from the main purpose of your day. As the brilliant Winston Churchill once said:


"You will never

reach your destination

if you stop and throw stones

at every dog that barks."

 

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