How To Become Distraction-Proof With Paul Kingsman

Check out Jeremy’s latest podcast on retirement planning by listening on “Apple Podcasts” or “Google Podcasts” or read below for How To Become Distraction-Proof.

Summary:

[136] – Retirement can be a time of great opportunity, but it can also be a time of great distraction. With so many options and so much free time, it can be easy to lose focus and become overwhelmed.

In this episode, Jeremy Keil speaks to Paul Kingsman about how to get rid of distractions. Paul draws on his own experiences as an Olympic athlete to share some personal stories and tips for becoming distraction-proof. He talks about the importance of having clearly defined goals, prioritizing time, and focusing on one thing at a time, and emphasizes the importance of rest and recovery, why you should learn from disappointments, and why seeking advice from seasoned individuals is helpful.

 Paul discusses:

  • How a support system helped him reduce distractions by enforcing the boundaries he set 
  • How he prioritized his time by deciding which activities were more important than others
  • Why rest and recovery are so important to be able to do the things that are valuable to you, more often
  • Why multitasking is a myth
  • The importance of moving forward and not letting disappointment define you
  • And more

How To Become Distraction-Proof

How does a support system help me avoid distractions?

Having a support system can be key to avoiding distractions and staying focused on your goals. It was for former Olympic swimmer Paul Kingsman.

He credits his mother for running interference and helping him prioritize his sleep during training. She acted as a gatekeeper and took messages or told people to call back after 8:30 PM, which was the time Paul had set for himself to go to bed.

Because she helped him hold fast to his standard, he was able to maintain the necessary rest and recovery his body needed for his intense training regimen. Having a support system that understands and respects your priorities can help you stay on track and achieve your goals, even in retirement.

How can I prioritize my time and decide which activities are more important than others?

Prioritizing your time and deciding which activities are most important can be a challenging task, especially during retirement when there seems to be an abundance of free time.

It is important to recognize that some activities, such as sleep, are essential for your overall well-being. While others may be less important (like taking calls late at night or catching up on your favorite TV series after spending the day with the grandkids,) you need to determine which activities hold the highest priority.

One technique that can be helpful is time blocking, where specific amounts of time are set aside for particular activities. This can apply to both work and retirement, allowing individuals to prioritize their time for activities that matter most to them, such as spending time with family, engaging in hobbies, or taking care of their health.

Why do I need to rest and recover before I can repeat?

Rest and recovery are essential for anyone who wants to be able to do things over again and do it well.

Just like athletes, individuals need to take time to rest and recover after strenuous activities, which will allow them to perform better.

Repetition brings about mastery and security in any activity, whether it is a sport, hobby, or daily routine, so you should prioritize healthy routines and habits to avoid falling into bad habits, which can hinder their ability to repeat and improve.

Can I multitask and avoid distractions?

The short answer is no, you can’t multitask and still avoid distractions.

For a longer answer, when it comes to avoiding distractions and multitasking, it’s important to choose what matters most and prioritize your time because multitasking is a myth.

Attempting to do multiple things at the same time can be detrimental to productivity because jumping between tasks creates distractions. Instead, focus on the top priorities and dedicate your time and effort to them.

It’s important to understand that just because you choose not to do something doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea, it may just need to be done at the right time and place. So don’t let trying to multitask and get everything done in one go become a bad habit. Time block and prioritize to get them all done when it’s appropriate to do them.

What’s the difference between moving on and moving forward?

Moving on and moving forward are two different things that can be easily confused.

Moving on means letting go of negative emotions and not dwelling on a situation, while moving forward means using the experience to learn and grow, and taking positive steps towards achieving your goals.

Paul Kingsman shared his experience at the 1984 Olympics, where he finished 20th in the 200 meters backstroke, and how he used the disappointment to move forward and eventually win a bronze medal four years later. He believes moving forward requires accepting and analyzing the setback, learning from it, and then letting go of any negative emotions associated with it.

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To learn more about becoming distraction-proof, check out the resources below!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or our guest, Paul Kingsman, using the contact information provided below!

Resources:

Connect With Paul Kingsman:

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About Our Guest:

Paul Kingsman leverages his financial services industry knowledge, practical experience as a financial advisor, and Olympic medalist background to help fellow advisors overcome distractions, focus on priorities, and attain success sooner. Building a meaningful life and a thriving financial advisory business both require purposeful effort. As a speaker, author, and executive coach, Paul provides pragmatic solutions to common business challenges, empowering his audiences, readers, and clients with actionable tools for success. He teaches tried-and-true techniques that work in the real world, enabling advisors to fulfill their potential and enjoy their hard-earned success.

Disclosures:

Content

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Keil Financial Partners assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors, omissions, or other issues with the links and their respective contents. This includes both the website content and any potential bugs, viruses or other technical threats.

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Keil Financial Partners does not provide any tax advice. No information or results from the links should be interpreted as tax advice. Please seek guidance from a qualified tax professional for any and all tax-related matters.

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The content and information provided through the links should not be interpreted as being investment advice or a recommendation of suitability for any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction, or investment strategy, or related decision. Please seek assistance from a qualified investment professional for any and all investment matters.

Investment Risk

Investments may increase or decrease significantly. All investments are subject to risk of loss.

General Disclosure

Advisory Persons of Thrivent provide advisory services under a “doing business as” name or may have their own legal business entities. However, advisory services are engaged exclusively through Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Keil Financial Partners and Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC are not affiliated companies. Please visit our website www.keilfp.com for important disclosures.

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