The Distracted Navigator
“He who is everywhere is nowhere.” — Seneca
The Obstacle
The navigator is supposed to get us to the final destination.
Supposed to know what is important along the journey.
The navigator is not meant to be distracted by every urgent call.
They keep their eyes on the map and on the big obstacles that will get in the way.
Directions
Road blocks
Traffic
Fuel
Tires
Danger
Others racers.
The Restless looses sight of the important
Paying attention to the urgent
Moving from one thing to the next
Losing sight of what actually matters.
Not present with people
Phone call
Email
Text
Something that feels urgent.
The Restless loses performance
Being distracted
Tending to the urgent over the important
Losing sight of the ultimate prize
What really matters in our lives and work.
The Distracted Navigator travels in spaghetti lines.
The Gift and Opportunity
The Restless might get us there
Eventually
Exhausted.
People traveling with us
Frazzled
Frustrated.
When Navigating clearly and calmly
We see what’s important
The final destination.
We discern what is urgent vs important.
People know we care.
We listen.
Understand.
Conflict becomes constructive.
The Restless would not have us do that.
It would have us in search of the fastest way to get through
To be right
Win
Or just move on.
Instead, we remember what is actually important.
Not just this minute
Or at the end of the day
But at the end of the project
Of the year
At the end of our lives.
The Practice of Self-Mastery
Look at the map with destination in mind
Before taking action, separate what feels urgent from what is important.
Stay present with the people you are with.
For better performance and relationships, choose long-term outcomes over short-term relief.
CHEAT CODE: STOP → LOOK AT THE MAP→ FIND THE DESTINATION→ CHOOSE COURSE
