How to Stop Chasing Squirrels and Focus on What’s Important
Do you ever feel like you are chasing squirrels? You know, those furry little creatures that dart across the road, catch your eye, and make you swerve your car or bike? They are cute and harmless, but they can also be very distracting and dangerous.
Chasing squirrels is a metaphor for getting sidetracked by things that are not important, while neglecting the things that are. It’s a common problem in our modern society, where we are bombarded by information, entertainment, and temptations. We often lose sight of our goals, values, and priorities, and waste our time, energy, and resources on things that don’t matter.
But how can we stop chasing squirrels and focus on what’s important? How can we live a simple, meaningful, and joyful life, without getting distracted by the noise and clutter of the world? Here are some tips that can help you do that.
1. Identify Your Squirrels
The first step to stop chasing squirrels is to identify what they are. Squirrels are anything that takes your attention away from what you really want to do or achieve. They can be external or internal, positive or negative, big or small. Some examples of squirrels are:
Social media, news, games, and other forms of digital distraction
Shopping, eating, drinking, and other forms of instant gratification
Procrastination, perfectionism, fear, and other forms of self-sabotage
Gossip, drama, criticism, and other forms of toxic relationships
Work, money, status, and other forms of worldly success
To identify your squirrels, you need to be honest with yourself and examine your habits, thoughts, and emotions. Ask yourself:
What do I spend most of my time on?
What do I think about most of the time?
What do I feel most of the time?
What do I say yes to most of the time?
What do I say no to most of the time?
The answers to these questions will reveal your squirrels and how they affect your life. You may be surprised by how many squirrels you have and how much they cost you in terms of happiness, health, and fulfillment.
2. Prioritize What’s Important
The second step to stop chasing squirrels is to prioritize what’s important. Important things are those that align with your purpose, values, and goals. They are those that bring you joy, peace, and satisfaction. They are those that make you a better person and a blessing to others. Some examples of important things are:
God, faith, and spirituality
Family, friends, and community
Health, wellness, and self-care
Learning, growth, and creativity
Service, generosity, and gratitude
To prioritize what’s important, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why. You need to have a personal mission statement that guides your decisions and actions. You need to have SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. You need to have a plan that breaks down your goals into manageable steps and tasks. You need to have a schedule that allocates your time and energy to your priorities.
3. Eliminate or Minimize Your Squirrels
The third step to stop chasing squirrels is to eliminate or minimize them. This means that you need to reduce or remove the sources of distraction and temptation that keep you from focusing on what’s important. You need to create a supportive environment that helps you stay on track and avoid pitfalls. You need to develop a strong willpower that helps you resist impulses and overcome challenges. You need to cultivate a positive mindset that helps you cope with stress and frustration. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Turn off or limit your notifications, alerts, and pop-ups on your phone, computer, and other devices
Unsubscribe from or unfollow the accounts, channels, and websites that do not add value to your life
Delete or deactivate the apps, games, and programs that waste your time and attention
Set a budget and a limit for your spending, eating, drinking, and other indulgences
Use a timer, a tracker, or a reminder to help you stay focused, productive, and accountable
Seek help, advice, or feedback from someone you trust, respect, or admire
Join a group, a class, or a community that shares your interests, values, or goals
Reward yourself for your achievements, progress, and efforts
Forgive yourself for your mistakes, setbacks, and failures
4. Enjoy What’s Important
The fourth and final step to stop chasing squirrels is to enjoy what’s important. This means that you need to appreciate and celebrate the things that matter most in your life. You need to be present and mindful of the moments and experiences that enrich your life. You need to be grateful and content with what you have and who you are. You need to be happy and joyful with what you do and why you do it. Here are some ways to do that:
Spend quality time with God, through prayer, meditation, worship, or reading His word
Spend quality time with your family, through conversation, play, or doing something fun together
Spend quality time with your friends, through sharing, laughing, or supporting each other
Spend quality time with yourself, through reflection, relaxation, or doing something you love
Take care of your health, through eating well, exercising regularly, and sleeping enough
Learn something new, through reading, watching, listening, or taking a course
Create something new, through writing, drawing, singing, or making a project
Serve someone else, through volunteering, donating, or helping a neighbor
Express your gratitude, through saying thank you, writing a note, or giving a gift
Celebrate your achievements, through acknowledging, rewarding, or sharing them
Conclusion
Chasing squirrels is a common habit that can rob you of your happiness, health, and fulfillment. But you can stop chasing squirrels and focus on what’s important by following these four steps:
Identify your squirrels
Prioritize what’s important
Eliminate or minimize your squirrels
Enjoy what’s important
By doing these steps, you can live a simple, meaningful, and joyful life, without getting distracted by the things that don’t matter. You can also inspire and influence others to do the same. So, what are you waiting for? Stop chasing squirrels and start living your best life today!