How to avoid Distraction

At 7:30 AM, one hour before the start of work, I arrived at the office with a to-do list of pending tasks. However, before starting, I wanted to quickly browse the news online. As I perused through the articles, a link posted on a gossip site caught my attention, leading me down a rabbit hole of videos and stories. After finally escaping the site, it was already 9:30 AM.

Just as I thought I could finally start working, a promotional SMS on my smartphone led me to check other updates on Facebook, including messages, friend updates, and videos. An old school friend then popped up for a chat, which I couldn't ignore, and by the time our conversation was over, it was already noon, and I had not even started on my scheduled work.

This scenario is all too common in today's world, where distractions come in many forms, such as websites, SMS, Facebook updates, Viber calls, WhatsApp messages, Skype calls, and more. Even shopping can become a major distraction, where one may enter a store with the intention of buying one item but end up purchasing several others, forgetting the original purpose of the visit.

To manage these distractions, it's essential to have a plan in place, such as a to-do list for work, a shopping list, or a day plan. The key is to stick to the plan, even when sudden changes arise. Evaluating distractions is also crucial, as you need to determine whether they are urgent and important before deciding whether to accept or refuse them.

Learning to say no is another critical skill to have, as you can filter out distractions that are low-priority and not urgent, such as phone calls, online messages, or shopping distractions. By focusing on the task at hand and managing distractions effectively, you can save time and achieve your daily activities efficiently.

Practicing the "Noble Eightfold Path" taught by Buddha can also help to keep your concentration level high on the planned work. The two key points to focus on are "The Right Mindfulness (Samma Sathi)" and "Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)." By following these principles, you can avoid distractions and complete your work effectively.

In conclusion, managing distractions in today's world is essential to be productive and achieve your goals. By having a plan, sticking to it, evaluating distractions, learning to say no, and practicing the "Noble Eightfold Path," you can maintain focus and achieve your daily activities efficiently.