You’ve finally carved out time to focus, maybe on a report, your vision for the next quarter, or simply dinner with your family. But… your phone lights up. That familiar buzz. Group chat. Slack notification. A random breaking news alert.
Now you’re off down a rabbit hole of… well, who knows what.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. We live in a culture that profits from your distraction. But here’s the truth: constantly being pulled in 10 directions isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a slow leak in your energy, purpose, and happiness.
I’m not here to preach because I’ve been there too. Distracted. Overstimulated. Running on autopilot in a career that checked all the boxes on paper. But deep down, I felt like I was drowning in noise and starving for meaning.
It took some serious inner work (and yes, a few brutal reality checks) to rediscover what really mattered to me.
So, let’s strip things back. If you’ve ever felt unfocused, anxious or like you’re “living sideways,” this is your nudge to come back home to yourself.
Hold Space for Strategic Thinking (aka ‘Thinking Time’)
You schedule back-to-back meetings. Grocery runs. School drop-offs. But when’s the last time you scheduled a meeting with yourself?
Not to do. But to think.
Brendon Burchard’s high performance principles emphasise clarity as foundational. Without it, everything else wobbles. But clarity doesn’t happen in chaos. You need stillness to hear your own wisdom.
That’s why I often recommend a “think block” even if it’s just a think afternoon. Use that time to ask big questions:
- What do I actually want in the next 6 months?
- What parts of my life feel out of alignment?
- Where am I settling?
When I did this for the first time, I realised I was living by someone else’s rulebook. That was the moment I started writing my own.
Audit Your Attention Like a CFO
We track finances. Calories. Performance KPIs. But rarely do we track our attention, which, by the way, is your most valuable currency.
Start noticing:
- Who’s texting you most often (and how you feel afterward)
- What media drains vs. fuels you
- When your “scrolling spirals” hit hardest
Back in my corporate days, I ditched mainstream news because I noticed it was sending my anxiety into overdrive. I haven’t looked back in 20 years.
Take inventory. Then create a “content diet” that supports the life you say you want.
Try a Social Media Detox (No, You Won’t Explode)
Let me guess, you picked up your phone to check the time and 20 minutes later you’re on a stranger’s engagement shoot in Santorini.
That’s no accident. Social platforms are built to hijack your attention.
You don’t need to swear off tech forever. But even short breaks can shift your mindset.
Try:
- Airplane mode for deep work hours
- Moving social apps to the second screen of your phone
- Logging out after each use (so that extra step gives your brain pause)
Productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters without interruption.
Turn the Mirror Inward (Yes, That Means You)
The biggest distractions often aren’t digital. They’re emotional.
Comparison. Perfectionism. People-pleasing. Guilt.
These inner voices masquerade as productivity but usually lead to burnout.
Personal development helped me return to myself when I’d lost the plot entirely. I’d built a “perfect” life and still found myself sitting in a chair, contemplating an exit from it all. That was my wake-up call. My daughter’s gaze became my lifeline.
The way out wasn’t more doing, it was deeper being.
Start by asking:
- What am I really craving right now?
- Whose approval am I chasing?
- What would feel freeing, not just impressive?
This work isn’t glamorous, but it’s transformative.
Press Pause on the “To-Do” List and Prioritise What Moves the Needle
You’ve been conditioned to equate busyness with value.
But here’s what we’ve all experienced: urgent doesn’t always equal important.
I encourage clients to ditch the typical to-do list. Instead, create a priority list.
That includes things that fuel your energy:
- Movement
- Time with loved ones
- Purpose-driven work
- Silence
When I started adding “morning walks” and “journaling” to my list, not just emails and reports, my productivity didn’t drop. It skyrocketed. Because I was finally working with myself, not against myself.
Single-Task Like It’s a Superpower (Because It Is)
Multitasking is a myth. Neurologically, it’s just your brain switching rapidly, losing efficiency with each leap.
If your browser has 27 tabs open right now… that’s your brain on multitasking.
Instead:
- Time block your day
- Use the Pomodoro technique (25 mins on, 5 mins off)
- Turn off all notifications for one task
This isn’t about being rigid. It’s about reclaiming your bandwidth.
The truth? Your mind wants simplicity. It thrives in clarity.
Are You Distracted or Just Disconnected?
Sometimes, distractions are a symptom, not the root cause.
You’re not flaky. You’re not lazy.
You’re likely exhausted by performing for a life that doesn’t reflect you.
And that’s where the coaching work becomes real.
In my Certified High Performance Coaching and Imposter Syndrome Informed Coaching, we don’t just slap a productivity band-aid on the problem.
We zoom out.
We find your spark again.
We reconnect you to what makes life feel like yours.
So ask yourself this: What would your life look like if you weren’t distracted from it?
Because that version of you, the clear, confident, joyfully focused version, she’s in there.
She just needs a quiet moment to rise.
If this resonated, take a moment now to close all the tabs. Just one breath. One thought. One step back to you.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, I’m here to walk with you.
Remember, you can unleash your unique version of success.
Your Coach
Stephanie
Ready to Ignite Your SPARK?
As a Certified High Performance, Wayfinder and Imposter Syndrome Informed Coach, I’m here to support you on this transformative journey. Whether it’s in your career, health, or relationships, my coaching programs are designed to help you achieve heightened and sustained levels of performance and potential. Are you ready to embrace these inner shifts then let’s embark on this journey together!
Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can support you:
Join our IYS Community – to connect with like-minded individuals focused on increasing their ENGAGEMENT, CONFIDENCE & JOY in work (and life)
Access your FREE Online Training – and learn how you can immediately hit higher levels of performance and potential in all you do!
Take the High Performance Questionnaire – to understand if you’re ready to go to the next level and live a life full of engagement, joy and confidence…
Book a Chat – so we can breakthrough what you’re currently challenged with and take the next action towards living the life of your dreams!