050: Distraction could be your only solution
Sometimes life is just so hard. You feel confused, your mind rushing into 10,000 thoughts per second, and it is very hard for you to focus. Your emotions feel like a rollercoaster; one minute, you feel you are the happiest person in the world, and the next second, everything falls apart, and you feel sad and completely lost.
All that is not enough. Your ego, full of pride, adds a layer of judgment, thinking that you should know better, feel better, and be doing more than what you are doing. Life is not hard enough; you have to be even harder on yourself.
You criticize yourself for not performing at your usual level and try to force yourself out of the challenging situation by pushing even harder.
If you notice this pattern in yourself during challenging situations, you can be sure it also manifests in the small things in your everyday life.
The truth is, most people are very hard on themselves, and this relentless self-talk can bring our vibration to a pretty low space.
The notion that we are constantly obligated to complete tasks we've been avoiding or to perform at a higher level than we currently are can lead us to label ourselves as procrastinators. This mindset diminishes our self-esteem and undermines our ability to progress.
There is a concept that I would love to point out here: distraction as a strategy and structured procrastination, and how to use that to your own benefit.
I read not long ago that distraction is a strategy in service of creation.
Distraction is one of the best tools available to the artist when used skillfully. In some cases, it's the only way to get where we want to be.
Don't get me wrong, procrastination is real. If you find yourself in the same place you were a year ago, dreaming about the same things and never really moving forward, it's time to take action. Recognize that you are stuck and seek help. But maybe this new perspective will help you shift.
Move through resistance, stay in the uncomfortable, and as I share with my embodiment practice students, hold a plank for a while and breathe into your belly. You have to make discomfort safe for your system so you can choose to move forward powerfully. But we can do this from a place of love.
Distraction, when used with intention, can be a powerful tool for creativity and problem-solving. It's not about avoiding work or delaying tasks; it's about taking a step back to gain new insights and inspiration.
When we allow ourselves to be distracted, we create space for our minds to wander and explore new possibilities.
This can lead to breakthroughs that wouldn't occur if we were rigidly focused on a single task. In yogic tradition, mantra is a form of distraction, guiding your mind towards a different thought instead of the negative ones you feed every day.
Distraction could mean creating distance between you and the perceived problem, allowing you to connect with the solution.
Keeping the problem at the forefront of your mind is not helpful; it focuses your energy and attention on exactly where you don't want to be.
Therefore, distraction can be your only solution.
If you find it difficult to sit down and get your work done, perhaps your body is inviting you to move so your ideas can move too. Instead of labeling this as procrastination only and being hard on yourself, consider the concept of structured procrastination.
This approach allows you to accomplish many other tasks while you delay the top priority on your list.
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And then, list everything you accomplished while avoiding the task you thought should be prioritized.
This is just a shift in perspective, but if it's done effectively, you will be able to recognize how much you actually get done and how your distractions can be used as a source of inspiration.
You will be regaining your self-confidence that was once lost in your harsh self-talk. You will feel proud of yourself when you see how much you actually get done, and this will help you unblock your solar plexus, the seat of your personal power.
It's an energetic shift that will start to build a solid foundation, allowing you to have enough energy to move through resistance and accomplish all the things you have been avoiding, but with more love and ease.
Procrastination and distraction were never the problem; the real issue resides in you never feeling enough, so you sabotage yourself to stay in your comfort zone.
Take a deep breath and shift your focus away from what's not working. For a moment, acknowledge and appreciate everything you're doing that serves you well.
From this positive space, organize your to-do list to align more closely with your desired experiences.
With Love,
Carolina
Happenings
Back to the Gym
I had been wanting to return to the gym for some strengthening exercises for a while, and, of course, I was labeling myself a procrastinator because I wasn't taking any action toward this goal.
It was very helpful for me to recognize that I was going through a very hard period in my life, and maybe months ago would not have been the best time for me to add new activities into my routine.
Re-evaluating where I am now, I can see it's time to move through resistance and go lift some weights, as this will support my life in many ways.
This is my example of moving through resistance, and sometimes all you need is to take action. I know for a fact that this will help me with my vitality. It will also support my embodiment classes and help me have more creative energy available as I make my body healthier.
Finally, I took action and joined the gym near my house. I'm celebrating this step as it shows my commitment to becoming my best self, even if it didn't happen when my mind thought it should.
Celebrating WHO
Kenz Soliman
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We recently started working with her, and I love her teaching and vibe. She has an amazing Sacred Business, helping transform business owners into thought leaders by assisting them in creating game-changing courses and podcasts.
If you want to check out her vibe, visit her Instagram account.
Here is What I Want to Share This Week:
Structured Procrastination
An insightful read on procrastination. Perspective is everything. This amazing strategy transforms procrastinators into effective individuals, respected and admired for all they accomplish and the good use they make of their time.
Ladder App
This is the app I am using for my gym routines, and it has been pretty awesome. You describe your goals, and they assign you a coach for that. You can change your coach at any time; the app has many options. The best thing of all is that you can listen to Spotify and your favorite songs while you follow their instructions.