How do we know if something is an opportunity or a distraction? The reality is that a decision has to play out long enough before we can determine if we made the right choice.

The hard part is that opportunities and distractions almost look identical when first encountered. They’re both doorways to our future that we can’t see behind.

So we have to come up with ways to make decisions when we encounter what looks to be an opportunity because we know that it could just as well be a distraction.

I don’t think I have this figured out yet, but this is a framework that I’m putting together for myself. 

Here are some questions that we can ask ourselves to help determine if we’re looking at an opportunity or a distraction.

1. Does this align with my core values and the person I want to become?
2. Does this move me closer to my goals or create unnecessary detours?
3. What will I need to give up to pursue this?
4. Does it feel like a “hell yes” or am I hesitant?

These questions assume we are already clear on our core values and vision for where we’re headed in life. If we don’t clarify these two things everything will seem like an opportunity, making it harder to avoid distractions.