My 12 Favourite Quotes from Bob Goff's Undistracted
Last year I read Bob Goff’s book Undistracted. I wanted to read Bob’s book as he really does embody what a life of forging your own path, unafraid of convention can look like.
It’s a book that is built around a host of relatable stories of folksy wisdom, with a bit of Bob’s west-coast sunny optimistic Christian flavour thrown in. So although I can’t share those here as they would be too long, I thought I could just collect together some of my favourite quotes for you fellow travellers, looking for a life of purpose and meaningful work.
On Distraction
Distraction robs us of the ability to both live in the moment and discern what lasts.
Remember the delight of darkness is to amplify distraction …The way to beat distraction is to become captivated by something much bigger and much better, such as purpose and joy.
We’re so distracted by the things happening around us that we overlook what God could be doing within us. The fix is both easy and hard. We need to connect the dots from what we have heard about our faith to what we actually do with our faith.
Why focus matters
We are all trying to build the airplane while flying it.
Find your purpose and you will experience more joy, the math is simple.
What we do matters less than what we are working towards, who we are working for and why we are doing it.
Start recognising what is temporary and transitory and instead focus intensely on the things that will last forever - our faith, our family and our purposes. When you direct your attention towards these things you will find your joy.
I used to try to do things that work now I do things that last.
What I’m doing now is finding the things that I’m made to do, and doing lots of that. Swapping ‘able to’ to ‘made to’ involves constant change, a clear understanding of purpose and undistracted, unwavering resolve to do what it takes to get there.
On others
Don’t be distracted by how different you are from everyone else... Go be you. Do anything less and the unique gift God wrapped in you will never be fully opened.
Be captivated with purpose and you’ll care less about everyone’s predictions.
Get comfortable with the notion that some people will be puzzled by what you say and do. Rather than being distracted by this just admit it, understand it and grow through it.
Only dead fish go with the flow, don’t be one of them.
Decide to go deep… Decide you will transform who you are from a puppet to a real person. Discovering and living your true purpose can only happen when you’re brave enough to cut the strings and be real with a handful of other people around you.
Godspeed,
T Mo