How You Can Eradicate Shiny Object Syndrome By Doing This One Thing

All roads lead to yoga and Chat GPT.

I have a confession to make. 

I have shiny object syndrome. 

Instead of focusing on what I'm supposed to be doing, I follow my curiosity. I waste time falling down rabbit holes, and before I know it, I’ve lost minutes to hours of productive time. 

But being curious is good, right? Especially as a writer, I need to have something interesting to say.

But let’s be real. Shiny object syndrome is another word for distraction. It’s lazy. It’s an avoidance technique to alleviate the boredom of doing the meaningful work you decided earlier was important to you.

In the spirit of full transparency, I googled ‘how to get on Chat GPT” while I was supposed to be writing this newsletter. (DISTRACTION)

Everywhere I turn, I’ve been deluged with reactions to Chat GPT. Articles about its usefulness and dangers. Maybe it will assist me in writing this here thingy. (LAZY)

So I decided to give it a whirl for today's newsletter, following my curiosity while still keeping myself on topic. 

I asked Ms. Chat GPT for ten benefits of meditation. She told me that it:

1. Reduced stress and anxiety

2. Improved focus and concentration

3. Increased self-awareness

4. Better sleep quality

5. Improved emotional regulation

6. Decreased symptoms of depression

7. Enhanced immune system function

8. Decreased blood pressure

9. Increased feelings of calm and peace

10. Improved relationships and communication skills.

Wow, that was easy! And thank you, Ms. Chat GPT. You are right because I have experienced many of those benefits first-hand.

But #2 is a doozy. I’m a work-in-progress there.

Coincidentally, I’ve designated my word for the year to be "focus." I’ve written this word on a sticky note and placed it here on my computer screen. I bring it to mind several times a day to keep me on track.

How are you doing with focus and concentration?

I recently heard for the 999th time an excuse from a fellow hiker who told me she could not meditate because her mind won't allow it. She simply can’t focus.

I kept my mouth shut because, well, you know #10. ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ I would have liked to say, "Hey, I know you think you are unique in your inability to sit silently, but by golly, you are not. The busy brain is normal, and you are tuning into the fact that your brain is untrained."

Her doctor gave her a breathing exercise, one of several taught in yoga. Again, I was silent (practice makes perfect) because the lady didn’t understand that once you control your breathing, you control your mind.

Your untrained brain, let's call her Matilda, has been running the show for a lifetime. Matilda will not go quietly into the night. She wants her way. She’s cemented neural pathways in your brain, and damn, those grooves run deep.

Matilda will not give up her regime.

What you resist persists. 

Let's agree to abandon our white-knuckle attempts at meditation. They don't work. Matilda is too strong.

That’s where yoga rides in on its white horse. It’s the answer. Yoga will lead the way.

Beginning next week, I will hold a yoga course focusing on focus.

Starting on Monday, February 6th, at 7 p.m., we will begin a series exploring balance in the body and the mind. What better way to do this than standing on one foot? Balancing poses are designed to keep you focused. You will find yourself in a heap on the floor if you don't.

By the end of this four-week series, Ms. Chat GPT says you can count on:

1. Improved Concentration: Practicing yoga and meditation can improve focus and concentration, allowing students to be more productive in their studies and daily activities.

2. Reduced Stress: The "focus" theme of the class emphasizes mindfulness and relaxation techniques, which can help students manage stress and increase feelings of well-being.

3. Enhanced Physical Health: The physical aspect of yoga improves flexibility, strength, and balance, contributing to overall physical health and wellness.

I want to add to Ms. Chat GPT’s list that you will also possess the ability to:

4. Sit in meditation for a minimum of five minutes by yourself.

5. Notice when Matilda asserts herself.

6. Handle Matilda with compassion and patience.

My classes are geared toward beginners and are gentle with many accommodations offered to those who need them. Don't worry. I'll record the class if you can't attend the live class. 

This series will be on four consecutive Monday nights (2/6, 2/13, 2/20, and 2/27) from 7 to 8:15 p.m. The investment in yourself is $65 for four 75-minute classes. It’s half-price for a second person to sign up in the same household. You’ll need a special code for that, so contact me.

Sign up here. PLEASE NOTE: There’s a coupon for 10% off the course, valid until Feb.1. Check-writers, please contact me for further details. If you’re on the fence, please contact me at [email protected] for more information on trying your first class for free.

Here is a song I discovered this week that segues perfectly with our focus on focus. It’s fun and light, and I hope you enjoy listening.

Since you guys like to click on things, watch this video about the power of words. I was touched by it, and I know you will be, too. It’s only 1:47 minutes long.

See you on the mat!