#151: Navigating the Chaos: How to Balance Stress, Distraction, and What Truly Matters

As I sit here writing, there’s a storm of chaos unfolding across America, reminding me of the wise words of Theodore Roosevelt:

“This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.”

We can’t forget that media narratives often stir up confusion and tension. It’s easy to get caught in the frenzy. Yet, it’s essential to remember that kindness matters more now than ever. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of my coaches always says, “If you win, be polite.” Gloating serves no one. Humility and respect are what keep us grounded—whether in the dojo or in life.

Speaking of distractions, I’ve been wondering lately about the constant push from Google to upgrade to their paid version of Gemini. Part of me wonders how it might change the way I think. Sure, it might streamline some tasks, but it could also dull the creative process I rely on. The process of writing, of truly thinking, is something that sharpens my mind. I’m not sure I want that to change.

And just to be clear, I won’t be outsourcing my political opinions to Gemini (it won’t comment on politics) or ChatGPT either. Some things need to come from the heart.

Sometimes, life forces us to put distractions aside and focus on what truly matters. Today, for example, was a close friend’s birthday. Despite everything going on in the world, I had to find time to pick up a gift. Because that’s what life is about—balancing priorities, even when we’re overwhelmed. It’s the small commitments that make life meaningful.

But distraction is a force to reckon with. I was caught up in reading about El Salvador’s crackdown on gang culture. The article’s headline grabbed me: “They once gripped their nation by fear. Now they will never eat meat again, never sleep with a pillow, never see their families.” The dark allure of such stories pulls us in, but it’s hard not to wonder—what does it really add to our day-to-day?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We all get caught up in the whirlwind of things we want to do, things we should do, and things we shouldn’t do. The trick, I believe, is to focus on what must be done. What are your non-negotiables for the day? The things that have to happen, no matter what.

Now, I know it’s impossible to ignore the larger landscape of world events. As many react with shock to President Trump’s victory, I find myself cautiously hopeful that his leadership might bring stability to the Middle East and an end to the war in Ukraine. But it’s easy to get caught up in these huge, global concerns.

My mentor, Steven J. Manning, once told me, “There are people much smarter than us handling these things.” While it’s important to care, there are limits to what we can personally do. That’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s true.

Speaking of things we can’t control, this week I watched a documentary about the tragic situation in Nigeria, where Christians are being murdered. It’s heart-wrenching, and we’re often reminded of such atrocities through the lens of social media outrage or not, depending on the push and pull of the money…But the reality is, apart from spreading awareness and praying for change, what can we actually do—without flying into the warzone ourselves?

Maybe this blog is going to be ignored by some or fall on deaf ears. But I want to remind you (and myself) that we are all human. We are all facing distractions, big and small, pulling us in different directions. But we also all have a responsibility to prioritize the things that matter most.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing some valuable tips from people I trust—how they manage the constant distractions of life and stay on top of their goals. If you have any thoughts on balancing distractions or handling stress, I’d love to hear them.

Have a great weekend, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to contribute to my list of topics. I’m always open to fresh perspectives.