The character trait of diligence is a reminder that I am in control of those distractions.  The phone itself does not have to negatively impact my concentration.  Through the notifications I set and the number of times I check it, I choose whether the phone is a disruption.  Author Tony Reinke of 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You expresses this in stating, “Distraction management is critical.”

But, I can’t even blame my phone for my earlier mentioned failures in diligence.  What I recognized was a need to also address internal distractions.  There are days we feel rushed or tired, or when our mind is preoccupied with other tasks that need to be accomplished.  When possible, taking a few minutes to address these distractions can improve our diligence, as much as managing the interruptions caused by our phones.  Whether it is stopping and taking a few deep breaths, going on a brisk two-minute walk, or taking the time to stop and update a to-do list, all of which would interrupt work in progress, taking a moment to refocus would result in an increased ability to concentrate on the task at hand.

Distraction management is the key, whether external distractions or internal distractions.  The benefit of diligence is the reminder that managing these distractions can result in an increase in focus on the task at hand.

Originally published in the Owasso Reporter January 2022