Tag: distraction

Dare to follow your dream…

I have found that it is in the familiar surroundings that I am far more distracted. Distraction is a major problem in everybody’s life.

Last night, I had a visit from a former student.  She chose to leave the east coast, alone in her car, to follow her dream.  Packed inside and onto the back of her car were all of her worldly belongings, or all that she perceived that she needs to make it here in California.  

She is blessed with a beautiful voice and a delightful personality.  After graduating from high school, she found herself in a number of service jobs, mostly as a waitress and a bartender.  She never really focused on her own talent.  Now, she is throwing caution to the wind and trying to find out just who she is and what is the purpose for her life here on Earth.

Leaving everything that you know is hard.  Family and friends who have put down roots probably will never understand the yearning that one has to really make a unique contribution to the world.  Today, it is not necessarily a place but a frame of mind.  Still, a change of scenery couldn’t hurt.  

I have found that it is in the familiar surroundings that I am far more distracted.  Distraction is a major problem in everybody’s life.  Sometimes you can make distractions a convenient excuse for not doing the work that you should have already done on the front end…and that is clarifying your goals.  I was about to put on my teacher hat and preach this message to my former student.  Instead, maybe I should take my own advice.  

Hence forth, my goals will be articulated. My distractions will have solutions related to triggers. I will trigger myself to do something much more productive and in line with my goals. This will allow me to lead a much more congruent life.

What are we teaching???

This commerce can work two ways.  You can also sell with this device.  You can create a product, define it’s value, advertise it on social media, and earn your own living.  You would think that we would be teaching this to the students of today.

I truly wish that we cared more about the relevance of the gadgets that we complain about instead of how it affects what we are teaching.  We don’t.  Ignorance of the potential for the distraction created by the smart phone is only focused on what we see from our own perspective.  I learned something different this weekend.

On Saturday, I decided to go to Atlantic City to get shoes.  I like the Reebok Outlet there so that’s why I went down.  I also needed to check into a hotel for an upcoming conference.  I pulled out my phone and got the train schedule because I hate parking.  I found the train, bought a round trip ticket right on the phone and headed out.  I stopped at Dunkin Donuts because I was in a hurry and ordered my usual diet meal through the app and paid for it.  I went in and out of the store in 20 seconds.

When I got to the train, they read my ticket on my phone and I had an enjoyable ride down to AC.  I bought my shoes and got my AAA discount because my card was linked to the app on my phone.  I left the store and switched into my new shoes and walked to the boardwalk.  On my way, I found a good deal on a hotel room as part of my Groupon and bought it. Since I didn’t need the hotel visit now, I went to the train station and on my way picked up a coffee courtesy of the app on my phone.

On Sunday, I got up late.  It was daylight saving time.  Thank God for my phone.  It changed the time for me.  I just wish that I had set the alarm.

I just had time for a shower and my vitamins.  Had to get to church.  On my out I remembered my phone.  I took it out and put in an order for breakfast and paid for it.  I got a quick pickup.

When I got to church I realized that I forgot my check book.  I took out my phone and opened up the church giving app and did my tithe.  (I couldn’t help thinking that people were judging me as I sat there in church on my phone.)  So, I popped in a “fiver” to the basket to keep up appearances.

After church, I drove over to the mall and had a coffee and did a little shopping and went home. I used my app again.

This little device has allowed the world to provide me services and kept me loyal to their brand and I am happy with it.  More and more I understand their purpose for this and I will continue to use it as long as it pleases me.  It has become a powerful influence on my life as well as a convenience for me.  It is, for today’s world, the new commerce.

This commerce can work two ways.  You can also sell with this device.  You can create a product, define it’s value, advertise it on social media, and earn your own living.  You would think that we would be teaching this to the students of today.  Do you know how many courses there are in the public schools (at least my own) that are required for the students in this area?  ZERO!!  That’s right…not one single class requirement.

Until we get with it…until people begin to wrestle with the “why”, we will be doomed to be a state of people who need to have the government take care of them because the education system has failed them…and for that you can blame the government…or your(my)selves.

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