Distractions v. Intentionality

If you don't know it by now, let me tell ya - I'm A.D.D.  I haven't been officially diagnosed, but after a life-long struggle with distractions, I have come to believe I am.  Literally, I am the guy who heads to do one thing, see or hear something, go to investigate, work on it, in the meantime a trigger goes off in my head and I think of something else, then, on and on the cycle goes. . .and I never finished my original task.  Go figure.  Just in typing these few lines I've thought of a couple of things I  could write a post about.

Even during my time with God in the mornings I get distracted.  I come to my office.  Turn on my desk lamp.  Get my Bible and journal out.  Turn on the monitor and. . . check the daily news, look over some blogs, read over an article or two, click on Pandora. . .all before opening my  Bible. 

Then while I'm reading and thinking through the passage I'm reading I'll notice something about the artist that's playing, I'll click on their bio, research their work, click on another article. . .you get the picture.

This is why I have lists.  Just ask Cindy about me and lists.  I don't even go to the store for something without a list.  I don't pack without a list.  I don't start my day without a list.  I don't leave a meeting without writing a list.  I just know I'll forget something.  Now, I 'm not one of those people who have to write something down just so I can check it off of my list - that's just weird, a waste of time and a post for another time.

Confession time - Am I the only one who struggles with this?  I have a sneaky suspicion I'm not.

These past couple of days I've sensed God speaking to me about distractions in my life and living with intentionality.  And this week I have been asking God to help me become more intentional with my life - my time, my energy, my mind, my relationships, my giftedness, and my passions.  Here's what that looks like for me.

I feel that I need to become more intentional. . .

• In prayer life - quit throwing out drive-by prayers.
• With my physical well being - need to realize that coffee is not really a meal. . .I know, go figure, and I need to implement some sort of physical exercise.
• With the ministries I'm leading and developing leaders - stop trying to do everything myself.
• With my time - stop wasting it.
• With my marriage - want to keep the spark in our relationship.

 I have a feeling when I begin to be more intentional in these areas of my life, I will begin to eliminate some of the distractions.  I'll probably always wrestle with distractions, but intentionality will help me focus on the important things and help me fight off the desire or wanton clicking, thinking, etc.

What distracts you?  Where do you need to become more intentional?

Now what was I doing?
Mike