Why you should Stop Looking over there
Sometimes in order to stay on track you have to stop looking “over there” and stay focused. When setting goals what may work for someone else just doesn’t for me. A lot of the “wisdom” today says that I should look at what other people are doing, and follow what ‘s ‘trending.” Iv’e found the exact opposite to be true for working toward my goals.
Personally, I have found the most important thing to do in order to stay on track with goals is staying Focused.
For focus and clarity I have to cut out some of the noise. That’s why minding my own business is my new Mantra.
Stop looking over there: Stay Focused
So I’m minding my own business, but may be not in the way that you may think. I had to tell myself: “at some point you have to stop looking “over there.” I’m making a concerted effort to stop looking ‘over there’ and stay focused on my own work.
It’s easy to look around at what other people are doing and Not stay focused on your own work. Comparisons just lead to distraction.
I remember back in Elementary school our teacher had a phrase she would say whenever it was an Exam day. The teacher would say, “don’t look at your neighbor’s paper because you might be accused of cheating.Although I wasn’t cheating I found myself just listening to how fast another classmate flipped their page over.
I would think; how are they going through the test so quickly?!
The best way to not have the temptation to compare was to stop looking over there, and literally sit somewhere else.
Distractions via Comparison
Distractions are a challenge for me. I am easily distracted. Even as I type this I had to close other tabs on my computer to stay focused. Comparison can be a major distraction.
Sometimes distractions [via comparison] can simply come from wondering how someone is moving faster than you. Focusing on my own work requires, well, focus. When I am working and moving in my own lane I don’t have the energy to compare.
Being in your own lane is simply about getting where you need to go, at the pace that makes the most sense for what you are trying to accomplish.
Goals are personal
My brother always says “goals are personal.” I think he’s right. Our goals are between ourselves and God. The Scriptures that I lean on when comparison is a major temptation is found in Ephesians
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do Ephesians 2:10 CSB
” You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?” -Galatians 5:7 CSB
This scripture reminds me that there is work for me to do, and God already had it prepared for ME. There is work for You to do!
I know this scripture is speaking about people moving away from the truth of God to other things. This scripture is also speaking about some people that crept into the church to lure others away from the truth. In-turn hindering the truth. I think it’s totally applicable to this context as well.
The Lord has something for us to do but we can allow the world, the culture, and comparison to persuade us to follow a different path. This is true both spiritually and in the practical sense as well.
Mind your own business and don’t get distracted
Just like the teacher saying not to look at someone else’s paper, it will hinder our own work. I know that may be a silly example, but there is a lot of truth in it.
You have to “mind your own business” for the quality of your own work. The authenticity of your work will be called into question if you don’t focus on putting your own ideas forward.
I have to focus on my own work, mind my own business, and Get to Work.
Stop looking over there
Be encouraged to do your Best work, influenced by what’s been placed in you to do and/or create. Stop looking and stop comparing, I would even say if you stop looking you have nothing to compare your work or ideas to! I’m talking to myself too!
Comparison can be a real trap for me, if I am not careful. I can be influenced by what other people are doing. In addition to not “looking over there,” I’m selective as to what I do look at and take in. Some times is necessary to avoid consuming what is being posted on Social Media. For some it may be peers in a similar industry that needs to be muted for a time. Doubt can take root in our hearts and minds. Scripture puts it this way:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” -Proverbs 4:23
“to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you”
– 1 Thessalonians 4:11
I really can’t say it much better than God already did!
Let this to encourage you to stop looking over there and stay focused on your own work.
Virtual accountability
Honestly, this post was influenced by my own need to be reminded. It was written from a place of needing the reminder….myself.
My hope is that it speaks to whomever it needs to so you can focus on what HE has for you without giving into the temptation to compare and lose focus on your own work.
For a time it’s totally wise to Stop looking…… over there!
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*Scriptures referenced are from the Christian Standard Bible Translation via https://biblehub.com/
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