You open a social media app, and on it is an endless stream of posts, updates, videos… just name it.
You start scrolling, and before you know it, hours have passed. You've seen a thousand things, but you can't help but wonder if you're missing out on something even more exciting.
But, what exactly is that?
It is called the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): very easy to fall into and against the productivity steak. The more you scroll, the more you can scroll; the more you fear missing out, and the less motivated you become to focus on work.
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The Lounge of Endless Information
This is 2023. We have access to a vast ocean of information on the internet. There's always something new to read, watch, or explore. Always.
But guess what? You can never, ever exhaust it all.
No matter how many hours you have in a day (that’s if you have more than 24), you'll never reach the end of the internet. Yet, the fear of missing out on the latest meme or viral trend keeps us endlessly scrolling, taking us away from what matters at that moment- our work and personal growth.
The Excuse Villa
Now, let's talk about excuses.
They're like weeds on the farm; they'll grow anywhere and everywhere if you let them. We all have an abundance of excuses at our disposal if we choose to make them.
But here's the truth,
Excuses would always be there, ready to inhibit our attitude towards our goals.
When are always quick to give in to excuses, our subconscious would tell us it is okay to scroll for just a few more minutes, or that we'll start working after one more video. And then one more… twenty-three already?
Selective Ignorance To The Rescue!
Choosing selective ignorance means embracing the discomfort of missing out. It means saying no to endless scrolling and yes to focused work.
It's not an easy path, but it's worth it. As always, It's about deciding what's genuinely important and tuning out the rest.
In clearer words, it is “majoring the major and minoring the minor.”
Stepping away from the crowd and embracing selective ignorance can be uncomfortable. But as we discussed in the last newsletter, Finding Comfort in Discomfort, growth rarely happens within our comfort zones. It's time to "better get used to being uncomfortable and wallow in the moment."
Photo by David Travis on Unsplash
FOMO can hijack your productivity, and endless scrolling is one of its tools. You have the power of choice. You almost always do.
Selective ignorance might not be easy, but it's the little guiding light that you must keep shining. You’ll realize eventually that, if you are at all, you’re not missing that much.
Instead of getting lost in the latest trends and social media noise, you put your energy into what truly counts.
Your journey to personal growth is yours. It doesn't have to match everyone else's.
I would conclude by saying the information on the internet is unlimited, but your time isn't. Use it wisely, and don't let FOMO steal your focus.
Please, stay hydrated and strong.
Till the very next time,
I have to power of choice!!!!
Qeebat, this is a brilliant write-up. I think every student needs to read this. I'll share with my contact and encourage them to read. Well-done!