2 Ways to Distract Yourself While Doing the Hard Things

For challenges of the body, distract with the mind. For challenges of the mind, distract with the body.

There are two versions of the story I’m about to tell. Both involve you as you run up a hill. Your thighs burn, your breath quickens, your energy dwindles. In version one, you are fully aware of these sensations. Every time your feet hit the ground, every drop of sweat forming on your upper lip, every hint of the breeze that isn’t cooling no matter how much you wish it were. That’s version one.

In the second version, you have headphones in. You’re listening to something, I can’t tell what, but you must be enjoying it because you have a smile on your face. You barely notice the heat or the sweat. In fact, whatever you’re listening to must be funny because you just let out a laugh. That’s version two.

My question for you is: what version would you prefer? In version one, you are fully present. Fully aware of the pain running through your body. In version two, you are distracted. Your body works hard while your mind focuses on other things. Which one is better? You know that being present is a good thing. But is that always the case? Why actively feel pain when you don’t have to?

I can’t answer those questions for you. I can only speak for myself. And having tried out both versions, I lean heavily toward the second. Being present is a wonderful thing, but I’ve found that being present while doing something challenging makes me more likely to quit. To give up. Why? Because putting all my attention towards that feeling, it becomes even more acute. It grows louder the more I focus on it.

For example, take a deep breath. Inhale… one… two… three… four… five… Exhale… one… two… three…four…five. Do it again. Inhale… one… two… three… four… five… Exhale… one… two… three…four…five.

Now, with your hand resting before you, look at your index finger. Stare it. Hold that stare and, while doing so, see if you can feel your heartbeat in it. Focus on it. Take another deep breath. Focus. Breathe again. Focus. Continue doing that until you inevitably feel the pulse. With a bit of presence, breath, and…

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