It is easy to get distracted by the little things – especially when we’re busy, when we don’t have bigger problems or when we don’t take take the time to think and be intentional with our actions. I learned how to focus on the most important thing first as newly promoted sales manager for a fast paced Internet startup.
Lately, I’ve been reading and listening to a lot of podcasts. Many of the hosts, guests, and speakers are Millennials. Some are even younger. I enjoy their enthusiasm and desire to make the word a better place. As they discuss (or whine about) issues and challenges, I often think that they are focusing on the wrong problem.
It ain’t the microplastics that have seeped into our food and water that will kill you. It’s the cigarettes you’re smoking, the lack of exercise and the fast food you eat 3 times a week.
Eliminating microaggressions and giving “trigger warnings” before discussing a topic that might make people feel upset are sweet gestures. But sticking up for your coworker when they are being harassed will help them even more. Even if doing this means you have to confront a bully or your boss and might get fired.
Political correctness, behaving on social media and using the “right” pronouns aren’t bad things. Even better would be to hire that person who seems so different to you, mentoring them and giving them a chance to succeed.
After my wife died, I was consumed by grief. I couldn’t think straight for the first time in my life. I had lost my partner, my identify and everything that I had dedicated myself to for most of my adult life.
Going on the road to live off-grid in the desert helped me focus on the most important things. Food, water, shelter and a place to sleep. My 2 months living in solitude in the wilderness absolutely sucked. But it gave me something to focus on and kept me from shooting myself in the head when all I really wanted was to be dead.
Most times, I don’t need that kind of drastic lifestyle change to shift my perspective. Hopefully you won’t either.
As for the smaller rocks, they will end up getting taken care of – or not. I’ve found it ends up not mattering much either way.