12/27 Mental Toughness Thursday

Maelin closes her eyes to focus and reduce distractions. 
Distractions are everywhere in this world. How many times have you been doing something and then...squirrel! There you go off in a new direction totally losing focus on what you were doing. Distractions are so common that we think they are an unavoidable part of life. IN reality however, distractions are what we make of them. 
Marcus Aurelius wrote, "The external things whose pursuit or avoidance troubles you do not force themselves on you, but in a way you yourself go out to them. However that may be, keep your judgement of them calm and they too will stay still - then you will not be seen either to pursue or to avoid."
Aurelius is saying that it is our reaction to the distraction that makes it a thing. If you can keep your mind calm and focus on the present the distraction will not develop into anything. I see this all the time in the gym with regards to music. We coaches are often asked to turn it up, turn it down or turn it to a new song. What is there was not any music? Could you still work out with the same intensity? Is the music a distraction that hinders or helps you? What if it didn't matter at all? Share with us in the comments how you manage distractions. 

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