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THE GREATEST DISTRACTOR

 


I have been struggling to choose the best approach to write this piece; whether to start with statistics of what researchers have done, quotes from great minds or even illustrations. However, I realized that the best way is to hit the nail on the head, straight, simple and blunt. (And I don't claim that this piece capture all there is to this issue). 


This piece is a follow-up to the one I wrote last week on distraction. After long deep thought, I felt the message will not be complete without adding this perspective to it. I assure you this simple and blunt piece will stare you in the face and show you one of the ways you have been letting part of your life slip past your fingers. We all are guilty when it comes to this.


In the last piece, I established that not all distractions appear harmful as some wear innocent looks but are highly detrimental. I also said that it takes diligence and meticulousness to understand and overcome them.  Hence, to overcome this great distraction/distractor, it takes more than diligence and meticulousness, you will need a high sense of discipline.



So here it is; the greatest distraction of our time is our mobile phones, yes that small device in your hand right now. Over the past 11 months, I have been observing keenly the usage of phones among young people and teenagers, the reason why they engage their phones and the time they devote to their phones. Truth is, the usage of mobile phones has constituted one of the most riches areas of research in the past few years. I don't intend to delve into another research, but to point you to the ignored obvious of the distraction mobile phones are to you and me.


From my observation, (I stand to be corrected as this cannot be generalized empirically yet), a significant number of young people and teenagers regardless of time and place cannot stay for more than 5 minutes without engaging with their mobile phones. (I would also want you to start observing this from today). I want to say with the utmost sense of responsibility that the mobile phone is the greatest distraction the young people deal with in the 21st century. This excerpt from an article written and published by Newspring Church (https://newspring.cc/articles/why-your-smartphone-is-ruining-your-life) captured it beautifully: 


We’re all guilty of it. The alarm goes off, and we instinctively reach for the phone. Before our feet hit the floor, we’ve checked the weather, read the news and responded to emails.No matter how much we swear we won’t be “that person,” it seems every smartphone user eventually becomes chained to their phone. Studies show most smartphone users keep their devices within arm’s reach all day, every day. Every few minutes, even if the phone didn’t vibrate or sound an alert, we feel obligated to check for updates on the tiny computers we keep close.


So now, let face it, what is your attitude towards your mobile phone? Truthfully, how distracting is your phone to you? How much time have you lost because you are addicted and distracted by your phone? What's the last thing you give your attention to before you go to bed and what is the first thing you reach out your hands to when you wake up? Are we not guilty of this? It was Robin Sharma who said and I agree with him that we are a generation of cyber-zombies addicted to technology.



The most priceless resource one can get is human attention, and what the mobile phone takes from you is your attention. It distracts you from once in a lifetime moments, from people and from giving your best to people as well. Again, getting distracted and being addicted to your smartphone reduces your productivity, saps your potential, and makes a caricature of your abilities.


Now don't get me wrong, technology is inherently good, but if its usage is not watched and matched with purpose, the outcome will be tremendously disastrous. Watch it. I have been its victim before now and I am honestly working on it. What about you? Do you own your phone or is it the other way round? Most young people are slaves to their phones and technological devices. 


From now henceforth, if we shall spend time on our devices, let it be for a worthy course. If we are conversing through the phone on any social media platform, let it be to share value and influence one another and our society for good. If we fail to do this, we will wake up too late only to realise that we have wasted a huge part of our lives (time) getting distracted by things that have no eternal value. 


Thank you for reading


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