Remember Ulysses? The greek hero who had to sail his ship and crew past the Sirens’ land. How did he do it?
To avoid the same fate as the sailors before them, he got his crew’s ears filled with beeswax and got himself tied to the ship’s mast so that no matter what, they stay the course.
Fast-forward to today, focus and attention have never been more critical than in current times. Today we have access to unlimited distractions at our disposal (or dare I say the distractions have unrestricted access to us).
Distraction or absence of concentration may seem like a weakness that can be cured through an iron powered will. Numerous studies have proved beyond doubt that it takes more than will power or an intense mental makeup to save one from distractions around us. External and internal triggers often operate at various levels that are responsible for stealing our precious focus.
Like the Sirens from the Odyssey, the attention-stealing interruptions and distractions lure us to its shores, only to wreak our ships and have us perish. Even the mighty Ulysses had to have himself tied to the ship’s mast to save himself from the seducing singing of the Sirens.
Two critical questions that I have been pondering lately.
1. Am I aware of the distractions that are preventing me from giving my 100%?
2. What can I do to save myself from the metaphoric Sirens around me?
What is your mast?
With gratitude, until next week.
Razak
CommonInterest
C o m m o n. I n t e r e s t. 