Storytelling has been around as long as there have been people communicating through paintings or words.
A good story brings us into another world. Maybe it’s time that has passed, or one that comes from someone’s imagination. Those stories weave a tale that has us invested in the characters and what is happening to them, potentially long after a book or movie is over.
In fiction, a MacGuffin is often used to move the story forward. Depending on how engaging the story is (or how many times I’ve seen or read it), I might think “there’s the macguffin!” as one is introduced in the plot.
What makes a macguffin interesting is that it seems compelling and relevant. In fact, it is necessary to the plot or the motivation of the characters, but insignificant in itself.
There are examples in abundance. The horcruxes in the Harry Potter series. The one ring in Lord of the Rings.
While our lives are not fiction, we are living stories. Interacting with others. Trying to move forward towards some goal or outcome that has meaning to us.
We also may have macguffins lingering about. The seemingly meaningful, but ultimately irrelevant.
Establish what is meaningful
The actions we take each day can either be purposeful or not. The only way to know is whether we have an intended goal.
Some might say that relaxation has no purpose or meaning. Untrue. Intentional rest can rejuvenate us. Allow us to build up our energy for the next step of our journey.
Playing a game with family? Builds relationships. Establishes trust.
There can be purpose and meaning in doing nothing or in play. As long as we know our priorities. Our life goals.
This is not to say we need a project plan for our life broken down into daily increments. Instead, knowing our key priorities and overarching goals for our lives and/or careers allows us to determine what actions we take are meaningful. What actions move our story forward.
Beware the macguffin
Distractions can be beautiful. They may expose us to something new and unexpected. Teach us a lesson we didn’t know we needed.
They can also blind us to what’s really going on. Turn us away from what we need to focus on.
At work, there are shiny pennies everywhere. Things we see that need fixing or could be improved. Jobs that sound interesting. These are often macguffins.
When we have a clear goal and priorities, we can evaluate the shiny pennies to determine if they will help us move forward or are just a distraction. Something that might prove interesting in the moment, but might move our story in a direction we don’t intend.
With clear intention, we can determine if what catches our eye is a temporary distraction, or critical to achieving our goals.
Look beyond the macguffin to the meaningful
Sometimes we distract ourselves, or others around us. Maybe we are struggling to process something. Or not yet ready to invest in an area of growth.
So we throw up a distraction. We start chasing one, or encourage others to.
When my son is struggling to process emotions, he will start an argument about something unrelated. It’s a way to say “hey mom, see that thing over there? Let’s argue about that so you don’t look too hard at me.”
Whatever the argument is about is never the real thing. It’s a macguffin. Something that seems relevant – he’s certainly passionate about it – but it’s not the real story.
If I chase the macguffin, I get distracted from what’s really going on with him. I’m still working on identifying them sooner, and helping him come back to what’s really going on. To root out the thing he needs help with, which is expressing deep emotions in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
My true purpose in those interactions is continually build trust, be a safe place for discussing hard things, and not get distracted. It’s not to chase the side plot he’s throwing out there. Instead, it’s to distinguish between the meaningful and the macguffin.
Identify our own macguffins
There are constant opportunities for distraction in our interconnected world. Small distractions can become deep rabbit holes before we realize it.
We have become used to instant gratification. Quick reactions. Constant activity and stimulation.
Even in our interpersonal interactions, we can be quick to make assumptions and lose nuance as we communicate via social or text. Even when it’s in person, since we’ve been training ourselves to react vs act.
Stepping back from our online and in-person interactions, we have the opportunity to pause. To reflect and determine our intentions, and the intention of those around us. What is the goal or outcome desired? The priority?
It is only when we reflect and determine our intentions that we can approach our lives, work, and interpersonal engagements with purpose. With the ability to distinguish between the meaningful, that moves our story forward in the way we intend, and the macguffin. The seemingly important, but ultimately irrelevant.
How do you distinguish between the meaningful and distraction in your life and work? What practices might you recommend to others? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
