21 Days: Discipline demands focus

Welcome back to the 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life challenge. (See what the big deal is here, and buy the book to follow along here.)

So here we are again. I have to admit that I’m not used to posting every single day, so this has been a little tough. Each of these posts hasn’t be stellar and inspiring. But I know there are several people (hopefully you!) following along with the challenges, and for those that don’t have the book, I want to give you the meat as we go. So please bear with these posts. (And for those wondering about my child who has been having difficulty, we had a good, productive day. Thanks!)

If you are looking for this week’s totally awesome Toldot parsha ideas and resources post, including the red lentil soup recipe, please go here. (There is a parsha link across the top menu with the entire list – there is one from each and every parsha)

Now on with the 21 Day Challenge.

Daisy_Distraction

Daisy_Distraction (Photo credit: WiseWellWoman)

First, we learn about removing distractions. Crystal introduces a really interesting application called Leechblock to help stop the time sink of internet, Facebook, etc…I’ve heard of a few others, so depending on your browser or sites frequented, you can find something to suit you if you feel like this will work for you.

Then comes something that is hard to hear: when you are working on something important, turn off all the other distractions. That means things like only one browser window open if that is your task (and you aren’t just browsing), not listening to a shiur when you’re working on something else, not calling someone while you should be writing…all of that.

It’s difficult, because our modern life encourages and rewards multitasking. We’re busy because that’s what we’re supposed to be, right? And that means doing ten things at once instead of focusing. But we need to focus when something needs to get done.

Today, I did my kitchen, but my desk still needs work. It’s not terrible, but still.

And on to the biggie: our daily routine, my mega-project. Today, I actually introduced something new to everyone instead of just doing the work myself: the ten-minute pickup race. Before dinner, the kids and I started in our living room and picked it up, then moved on to office, and finished up in the playroom. We stuck together the whole time and raced against the clock. Once the 10 minutes were up, we were done.

We weren’t going for perfection, just completion. And we did it together! 😉

Permanent link to this article: https://organizedjewishhome.com/2012/11/12/21-days-discipline-demands-focus/

2 comments

    • Shuli on November 13, 2012 at 12:01 am

    I like the pickup race! Do you have any suggestions for how to “pick up” before dinner when there are kids around who are too young to understand and like to undo everything (baruch Hashem!!!) 🙂

      • Amital on November 13, 2012 at 5:57 am
        Author

      I have a newly 3 year old son and a 1 year old daughter, so I know what you are talking about!

      We made them part of the process, but ultimately let them have their own little place to “clean.” And then I helped when we were getting close to done in the room. I’m thinking of it as part of their training, and if everyone else is rushing and trying to clean up, they want to be part of the action, too.

      You could get something contained that they like to do, like a pom-pom stuff or a coloring book, and bring it with you when you go. But I try to include the little ones, even if it means I do less overall. They will catch on and participate, and that’s a good thing!

      Amital

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