How to deal with distractions? Well, during an Afrinado interview with The Designer Studio founder Wanjiku Nyoike Mugo, one thing that really stood out for me, was her attitude towards competition and naysayers. It was something she said the cuff. When asked her how she felt about people copying or cutting down her ideas: “Those are just distractions”.
Intriguing. It is such a refreshing way of dealing with the noise — those things or people that start affect your focus. You must first name your distractions in order to deal with them.
Distractions : The naysayers
These are people who you may know well, family and friends, that do not really believe n your hustle. Most of these people are of the school of thought that having a career means having a job with benefits, a swanky office, and a Range Rover. Naysayers reflect their own belief systems and their fears have nothing to do with you. To counter naysayers, surround yourself with people who motivate you, peers who are also in the same process of building their creative businesses. This will help keep your head in the game and encourage you to push forward.
Distraction #2: The unsolicited advise givers
Sometimes, the person distracting wants believes they know exactly how you can do this. The problem is, you didn’t ask them. They will offer their opinion anyway, sometimes, it can be helpful but most times it feels like a bug stuck in your ear. Thank them for their advise politely, explain that you already have a plan in place and change the topic. Hopefully they will get the hint. Take their advice with a pinch of salt and learn to believe in your instincts and decisions. If you let them, the ‘Unsolicited Advisory Council’ can have you second guessing yourself and your work. Remember, you make decisions that are right for you, not anyone else.
Distraction #3: The Competition
Competitors come in all shapes, form and size. It could be an already established entity, with, a copycat friend, or someone who is launching something similar around the same time. How do you deal with this?You can learn from an established company but do not let them be the only standard by which you measure yourself. As for copycats, don’t let it bother you but take note of who you share ideas with next time. If it is a similar product being launched, learn how to differentiate yourself. I liked what photographer Yagazie Emezi said during the EveryDay Africa Book launch in answer to a question about competitors: “I like to think of them as my peers not my competitors” she confidently corrected. You are already good by yourself, do not let what others are doing distract you from what you have planned and set out to achieve.
Are there any other distractions you have come across in your journey? Share below
