Are You Chasing Fireflies? #33

A friend and I were recently walking on our trail. As we passed a certain section, I told him that fireflies tend to hang out there.

Then he told me about an idea he’d been thinking about as he reflected on the fact that so many of us are struggling to focus.

They felt scattered, jumping from one thing to the next, never quite landing on what mattered most.

He told me it’s like chasing fireflies.

Fireflies grab our attention with their quick flashes of light. We run after one, only to see another—and another—and suddenly, we’re off in a dozen directions, exhausted and no closer to where we want to be.

Does that sound familiar?

The Science of Distraction

Modern distractions are like fireflies. Every ping, buzz, or shiny headline pulls us away from deep work and meaningful action.

Research shows that the average person’s attention is interrupted every 3 minutes. Worse, it can take up to 23 minutes to regain focus after a distraction.

But here’s the kicker: Your Soul Force—the energy, focus, and consistency that powers your transformation—relies on your ability to stay locked in on What’s Important Now. When you’re chasing fireflies, you can’t harness your full power.

The Heroic Elite Mindset

Elite performers don’t chase fireflies. They create clarity and fiercely protect their focus. Here’s how:

1. Eliminate Distractions: Turn off notifications, set boundaries, and create a space free from distractions.

2. Define Your Target: Start each day by identifying your #1 WIN (What’s Important Now) that moves you closer to your #1 Heroically SMART Goal.

3. Focus Deeply: Dedicate uninterrupted time to your most important work before anything else.

Today’s Action Step

Take a moment to reflect:

1. What’s one “firefly” distracting you today?

2. What can you do to eliminate or minimize it?

3. Set a timer for 30 minutes and dedicate that time to deep, focused work on your #1 priority.

You don’t need to eliminate every distraction overnight. Start small. Build momentum. And watch how a single focused hour can change everything.

Let’s channel your Soul Force into meaningful action—and leave the fireflies behind.