The red notification keeps popping up. Construction noises are getting noisier. Self-doubt slowly creeping in. We encounter tremendous amounts of distractions every day. All taking away our energy meant for working or being in the present. That's why we have curated the distraction quotes below to save your attention and divert it to more valuable endeavors.
Accepting that distractions are always present equips us to manage them better. So together, let's point out red flags and find ways to handle them. From changing our surroundings to mentally warning ourselves, let the following distraction quotes, from authors to famous figures, restore your focus.
Quick links to our selection of distraction quotes:
One minute you're zeroing in on a task, the next, you're down a rabbit hole of animal videos (guilty!). Distractions sneak up on us, and before we know it, we're off track.
I've personally implemented a small action to avoid this. You can quickly write down all types of distractions, like an errand, a wild idea, or something you suddenly want to buy. By doing so, you can unload any unnecessary information from your brain, increasing productivity.
Furthermore, maintaining focus can also make you more present. A distraction-free environment leads to mindfulness, whether you're spending time with your friends or journaling your thoughts.
After reflecting on the best distraction quotes below, get more motivational messages in our list of focus quotes and clarity quotes.
"I'm here to build something for the long-term. Anything else is a distraction."
"Your results are the product of either personal focus or personal distractions. The choice is yours."
"Less distraction, more focus. Less gossip, more encouragement. Less past, more future. Less toxicity, more positivity."
"Say ‘no' to distraction so you can say ‘yes' to your destiny."
"Listen to your inner voice and never let the distraction of the crowd discolor your poise."
"When distractions are manifold, it’s best to remember what you are supposed to be doing."
"Happiness can only be found if you can free yourself of all other distractions."
Do you need more tips? Aside from writing it down, remove the friction in your surroundings. You can dedicate a quiet workspace, buy noise-canceling headphones, change notification settings, and more. As for the mental clutter, limiting your to-do list to three targets and implementing time-block are simple ways to integrate into daily routines.
When we search for ways to handle distractions, the internet will give us a sleuth of ideas. Despite all these, let's always remind ourselves that we can't be perfect on the first try, even the 100th! So stay kind to yourself. Listen to what your mind and body need. Besides, some constant distractions have root causes that you or a medical professional must address.
After getting more motivation from the distraction quotes below, enforce at least one of these tips and track your improvement.
"Follow the wandering, the distraction, find out why the mind has wandered; pursue it, go into it fully. When the distraction is completely understood, then that particular distraction is gone. When another comes, pursue it also."
"Every day set the simple goal of trying to be more awake and less distracted."
"When I meet with the founders of a new company, my advice is always, ‘Do fewer things,' it's true of partnerships, marketing opportunities, anything that's taking up your time. The vast majority of things are distractions, and very few really matter to your success."
"Disconnect from everything long enough to see if it feeds your soul or if it's a distraction. What's deeply connected will always remain."
"All profound distraction opens certain doors. You have to allow yourself to be distracted when you are unable to concentrate."
"We fight too many battles that don't matter. If the battle is not between you and your destiny, then it is a distraction. You have to learn to let things go."
A funny thing about distractions is that sometimes it does not look or feel like one. Comfortable, mundane, and natural activities can absorb our energy and time. For example, a snuggly bed and an engaging show can warp our perspective of time.
When I was in school, I drained my energy on cleaning my cluttered room first before studying. Looks okay, but in hindsight, it ate up much of my study schedule.
When we analyze our life periodically, we can spot hidden distractions. Comfort zones are keeping us from reaching greater heights. There are also the added hours we spend on our phones. The point is distractions are always there. So we should step back occasionally and evaluate where our hours are going.
After contemplating the distraction quotes below, watch this entertaining, informative, and famous Ted Talk by Tim Urban about the mind of a procrastinator.
"You can always find a distraction if you’re looking for one."
"People allow themselves to get distracted; I think ultimately, probably the biggest thing that gets in the way of people doing at any point in time is distraction."
"Thinking is good for your mind, but too much thinking leads to distraction."
"When we clutter our lives with imagined obligations, unnecessary activities, and distractions that only kill time, we dilute the power of our lives."
"You can’t do big things if you’re distracted by small things."
"Distractions destroy action . If it's not moving you towards your purpose, leave it alone."
"Be aware when distractions come your way. You'll know it's a distraction when you stop doing what you're supposed to be doing and find yourself pondering things that have no value."
"Don't let mediocrity distract you from greatness."
"When a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure."
"Distraction wastes our energy, concentration restores it."
Have you ever heard how we have shorter attention spans than goldfish? The BBC has already debunked that years ago. But we should not turn blind to the effects of technology in our lives, whether it's the endless scrolling on social media or binge-watching Netflix shows.
If you assessed yourself to have excessive amounts of screen time, then it's time to try digital detoxing. It involves scheduling tech-free hours, turning off push notifications, and assigning the bed as a no-tech zone. Moreover, putting away phones during mealtime improves the quality of our conversations1.
Like any addiction, withdrawing from what you are used to is challenging. But the rewards of increased productivity and improved social interactions are all worth it.
May the following distraction quotes be your companion in your digital detoxing journey.
"The age in which we live, this non-stop distraction, is making it more impossible for the young generation to ever have the curiosity or discipline because you need to be alone to find out anything."
"Very powerful distraction nowadays are the notification sounds from social media."
"In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention."
"The moment of drifting into thought has been clipped by modern technology. Our lives are filled with distraction with smartphones and all the rest. People are so locked into not being present."
When we seek advice to manage distractions, it is a no-brainer to listen to the words of successful people. This section of distraction quotes includes passages from modern influential figures such as investor Warren Buffet and leadership expert Robin Sharma. We have also added inspirational quotes from mathematician Blaise Pascal and inventor Thomas Edison.
No matter what field, time, or level of fame thriving individuals are in, we should always welcome their nuggets of wisdom.
"The most dangerous distractions are the ones you love, but that don't love you back."
"An addiction to distraction is the end of your creative production."
"By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination."
"The result of information overload is usually distraction, and it dilutes your focus and takes you off your game."
"Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for miseries and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries."
"To do much clear thinking a person must arrange for regular periods of solitude when they can concentrate and indulge the imagination without distraction."
If we allow ourselves to be distracted, let it be nature and nothing else. There's always something magical when we breathe fresh air or listen to crashing waves on the beach. All our senses are thanking us for being one with nature.
Multiple research has proven the cognitive benefits of spending time with the natural world, even from listening to nature sounds alone2. Moreover, the Japanese even developed the concept of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. They also cited numerous benefits of its effects on mental health. Overall, there's no arguing that nature is the best form of therapy.
After reading the remaining distraction quotes below, check our articles about other reasons to get outdoors and how nature benefits our mental health for an in-depth discussion.
"In nature, every distraction is an inspiration."
"Deep in the soul, below pain, below all the distraction of life, is a silence vast and grand – an infinite ocean of calm, which nothing can disturb. Nature's own exceeding peace, which passes understanding. That which we seek with passionate longing, here and there, upward and outward; we find at last within ourselves."
| 1 | Misra, S., Cheng, L., Genevie, J., & Yuan, M. (2016). The iPhone Effect: The Quality of In-Person Social Interactions in the Presence of Mobile Devices. Environment and Behavior, 48(2), 275–298. |
| 2 | Van Hedger, S.C., Nusbaum, H.C., Clohisy, L. et al. Of cricket chirps and car horns: The effect of nature sounds on cognitive performance. Psychon Bull Rev 26, 522–530 (2019). |
Isabela is a determined millennial passionate about continuously seeking out ways to make an impact. With a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors, Isabela’s research expertise and interest in artistic works, coupled with a creative mindset, offers readers a fresh take on different environmental, social, and personal development topics.
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