Imagine you’re chatting with a friend when your phone rings. Without a second thought, you stop mid-sentence and answer the call. It’s almost automatic. You’re driving, and you hear the ping of a new text message. Many people can’t resist—some even read and reply to texts while driving, oblivious to their swerving. Even if you try to ignore it, you feel the strong pull of your phone, almost like it’s demanding your attention.
We live in a world filled with distractions from email alerts, texts, phone calls, IMs, and social media notifications. So, how can we reclaim our focus?
One simple way I’ve found is the phrase, “It can wait.” I adopted this from a distracted driving campaign. It’s straightforward yet powerful, and I’ve integrated it into my daily routine. For instance, when I feel tempted to check my phone while driving, even just to see the name of a song, I tell myself, “It can wait.” This helps keep my focus on driving safely.
This phrase reminds me of what’s truly important. Texts, emails, and calls will still be there when I reach my destination. Right now, the priority is to get there safely. Even though I might not remember to check which song was playing, it shows how unimportant that info really is.
I also apply “It can wait” to my meditation practice. When meditating, my mind often wanders to thoughts about work or personal projects. Although these thoughts can be compelling, they’re not what I want during meditation. Telling myself, “It can wait,” helps me let go of these distractions. Sometimes the thoughts return, but repeating the phrase helps quiet them eventually.
“It can wait” reaffirms the importance of the present moment. When I start planning or worrying about the future, I remind myself, “It can wait.” This helps me stay present, finding happiness in the now rather than in future plans.
I find this practice very effective and simple. When distractions try to pull you away from the moment, just tell yourself, “It can wait,” and focus on the present with mindfulness.