According to Forbes (2023), the average person spends over 413 hours a year—or more than 17 days—scrolling through just the top five social media platforms. Over an 80-year lifespan, that adds up to nearly four years spent scrolling. Combine that with the constant demands of emails, meetings, personal responsibilities, and unexpected crises, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start.

Noise in our lives isn’t just digital. It’s the endless stream of competing priorities, internal overthinking, and the constant tug-of-war between what’s urgent and what’s important. The challenge isn’t simply avoiding distractions; it’s learning to focus on what truly matters.

This concept of focus reminds me of a living metaphor from my childhood in Baltimore. Growing up in the concrete jungle, horses were not a familiar sight, but occasionally, the ‘Arabbers’ would come through the neighborhood pulling their colorful fruit carts [think farmers market on wheels]. Though I didn’t see horses daily, one detail about them always stood out and that was the small patches covering their eyes. These patches, I later learned, were called blinders or blinkers. Why would anyone want to limit a horse’s vision in a city filled with so much movement and noise? I learned that blinkers serve an essential purpose. Restricting the horse’s peripheral vision allows them to stay focused on the path ahead, avoiding distractions like bustling crowds or sudden noises. Blinkers don’t blind the horse—they guide it to remain steady and on course.

Reflecting on this experience, I realize how much we all need our own version of blinkers. Cutting through the noise isn’t about silencing everything around you but amplifying what matters most. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the chaos of life, let me share the cheat code: five practical strategies to help you block distractions, find clarity, and move forward with purpose. Imagine the relief of finding clarity in a world filled with noise.

The Cheat Code: Five Steps to Break Through the Noise

1. Clarify Your Vision and Goals
   • Just like a horse needs blinkers to focus on the road ahead, you need a clear direction to cut through life’s distractions. Noise thrives in uncertainty. When you’re unsure of your goals, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of “urgent” tasks and unimportant information.
     • Action Tip – Use these questions to filter the noise
       • Is this important to me and does this align with my goals and/or priorities?
       • Can I take action right now or is this information overload?
       • Does this action bring me closer to my purpose?
       • Remember to write down your vision/goals/purpose serves as a constant reminder of what matters most.

2. Be Selective with Your Consumption (Inputs)
   • Not all information is created equal. In a world overflowing with content, it’s crucial to guard what you allow into your life. You want to guard your ears, your mind, your heart, your eyes, and even your space. The constant flow of emails, text notifications, phone calls, individual personal needs, and social media updates can quickly drain your energy and attention if left unchecked.
     • Action Tip – Conduct a noise audit
       • List the social platforms, subscriptions, habits, and activities that drain your energy or attention; eliminate or limit them.
       • You must create boundaries for your future’s sake. The future you will be glad you decided to make changes.

3. Communicate with Intention
   • Noise isn’t just something you absorb—it’s something you create. Your communication, whether personal or professional, should be clear, purposeful, and aligned with your goals.
     • Action Tip – Communicate your plans
       • Share your new approach to focus with your community. Craft messages or have coffee discussions to share your new approach.
       • If people rely on you to help them solve problems you want to also be clear about what they can expect moving foward.
       • Communicating with purpose is key for the desired impact.“What do I want others to feel, know, or do after they hear from me?”
       • Before hitting “send” on an email, posting on social media, or starting a conversation, use this list to ensure your words have meaning and impact.

4. Leverage Technology Wisely
   • Technology can either empower or distract you—it’s all in how you use it. Just as algorithms are designed to keep you scrolling, they can also be harnessed to boost focus and productivity.
     • Action Tip – Use the tools to stay focused
       • Use tools like focus apps or browser extensions to block distracting websites and notifications.
       • Batch notifications: Turn off real-time alerts and set specific times to check your messages.
       • Taking control of your tech ensures it works for you, not against you.

5. Prioritize Quiet Time
   • The loudest noise isn’t always external; it’s the internal chatter of overthinking and self-doubt. Moments of silence give you the space to reset, reflect, and realign with your purpose.
     • Action Tip – Make time for reflection
       • Schedule at least 10 -15 minutes daily to unplug. Use this time to journal, read, pray, or simply breathe deeply. This intentional practice creates room for creativity and clarity to thrive. You must make time to decompress.

Focus Fuels Leadership

Reflection – Blinkers aren’t a limitation, they are a tool for clarity. And in our distraction-filled environments, we need tools like that, too. Leadership and success don’t thrive in chaos; they thrive in focus and intentionality.

This is your cheat code, use it to focus, act, and inspire. By applying these five strategies, my hope is that you create your own set of blinkers to cut through distractions and concentrate on what truly matters. Success isn’t about doing everything or even doing everything right—it’s about doing the right things with purpose.

This BREAKTHROUGH is your guide to bridging the gap between intention and action. It’s time to stop thinking and start building the life you envision—one step at a time.

Bajarin, Tim. (2023, September 17). Spending Time On Social Media Is Both Good And Bad. Forbes. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/timbajarin/2023/09/19/spending-time-on-social-media-is-both-good-and-bad/.