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Preparing for Excellence – Issue 5

Distractions typically steal more than two hours of every work day, resulting in an enormous loss of time and money as well as missed opportunities. Don't let your potential simply get wasted away!

Often we're eager to identify new activities to move us closer to our goal, but we forget to first recognize what we're already doing that is actually holding us back.

When I was training to swim in the Olympics, my coach and I would video my stroke under the water to see exactly where the normally unseen, yet detrimental, inefficiencies lay. Once we had identified the areas of weakness, I would consciously work to eliminate any actions causing unnecessary drag, or friction. Only after the drag points were removed would all of the other training I was doing, such as the weights and fitness work, be most effective, resulting in my moving through the water as fast as possible.

Adopting this same approach in our everyday schedule is crucial for success. It's not enough to simply think that new habits can be easily implemented to nullify the old ones. While we don't wish to reinforce poor practice by spending time doting on it, we must contentiously remove distractions (even those habitual ones) from our daily routine before we can effectively take on new best practices.

To do this effectively, take the same steps the successful Olympian takes:

• Honestly anticipate the fact that you will be faced with distractions throughout your day.

• Frankly assess your day to day activities. What are the ‘little things' you do that simply waste time and truly fall into the category of distractions?

• Today, and from now on, when you start to gravitate toward doing those very things, say to yourself, "This is not part of my practice anymore," and change your focus to something better.

• Move immediately to what you know you should be doing next.

• Don't permit yourself to slip back into old, wasteful habits.

As the year draws to a close and New Year's resolutions become part of conversation, take time to eliminate those ‘little distractions' which have been slowing you down and dragging on your performance. Then, in 2008, you can do great new things because you are actively avoiding distractions and staying focused.

Merry Christmas!

– Paul

Copyright Paul Kingsman 2007
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Paul Kingsman – Olympic medalist, professional speaker and executive coach – works with his clients to identify and destroy their own drag points so they can make room for best practices and achieve outstanding results. To find out more about how Paul can equip you for Split Second Success^® contact him at http://www.paulkingsman.com.

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