Growth happens when you stop distracting yourself with good ideas

Recognizing the endless cycle of momentum and distraction

Have you ever had a great idea you couldn’t stop thinking about—an idea that lived in your head, rent-free, for days or even weeks? If you’re the kind of person who sees opportunity everywhere, you’ll probably agree this happens a lot. The thing is, these ideas are often really good and worth pursuing, but maybe not immediately.

The moment we pursue another project or idea is the moment we push what we’re currently building to the backburner. Our focus becomes split, and we slow down the growth of our main project. I wrote the quote, “Growth happens when you start to recognize the difference between opportunity and distraction, and then realize that they are often the same thing,” because I found myself doing this frequently.

Every time I started a new project, I would pick up momentum but simultaneously lose momentum on my main project. It was an endless cycle of having a new idea, convincing myself I had time to build it, gaining momentum, and then realizing—yep, I distracted myself again. I have a laundry list of these projects, and looking back, I realize that if given the time and focus, I would dive into them wholeheartedly.

But here’s what I’ve learned: I can do anything I want, but I can’t do everything.

“If you chase two rabbits, you will catch neither one.” – Russian Proverb

These projects might be great ideas for a future version of me, but not for who I am right now. I have a business I’m currently building that needs my full attention until it’s ready to run on its own.

Think of it like starting multiple video game campaigns and never finishing any of them. Eventually, you’ve got a library of games with hours invested, but you’ve never completed any.

“One thing well done is worth a hundred half-done.” – Unknown

So, ask yourself: What are you currently building? Do you really need to start this next project, or do you need to see your current one through to completion? Are you finished learning the lessons from your current project?

If not, here’s your reminder that, while your idea may be a good one, it might not be for this season of your life. As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (KJV):

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.