"Indistractable" by @nireyal is one of the most actionable productivity books I've read.
It's been recommended by James Clear, Mark Manson, and countless other authors.
Here are 10 key lessons from it:
It's been recommended by James Clear, Mark Manson, and countless other authors.
Here are 10 key lessons from it:
1) Distraction vs. Traction
Distraction = Action that moves us away from what we want.
Traction = Action that moves us toward what we want.
You can't call something a distraction unless you know what it's distracting you from.
Distraction = Action that moves us away from what we want.
Traction = Action that moves us toward what we want.
You can't call something a distraction unless you know what it's distracting you from.
2) Distractions Tend To Come From Within
People seek distractions to escape pain.
Most of this pain is mentalβlike boredom or frustration.
That mental pain makes us reach for a distraction (social media, video games, TV, etc) to escape our discomfort.
People seek distractions to escape pain.
Most of this pain is mentalβlike boredom or frustration.
That mental pain makes us reach for a distraction (social media, video games, TV, etc) to escape our discomfort.
3) Use the 10-Minute Rule
The next time you have the urge to check your phone or some other distraction...
Wait 10 mins before giving in.
Being aware of the negative emotion will help reduce it and waiting 10 mins will prevent building a habit of impulsive behavior.
The next time you have the urge to check your phone or some other distraction...
Wait 10 mins before giving in.
Being aware of the negative emotion will help reduce it and waiting 10 mins will prevent building a habit of impulsive behavior.
4) 3 Quick lessons:
-We don't run out of willpower
-What we say to ourselves matters
-Practice self-compassion
-We don't run out of willpower
-What we say to ourselves matters
-Practice self-compassion
5) Make Time For Traction
The best way to make time for traction is to use "timeboxing."
Decide what tasks you're going to do and when you're going to do them.
Make sure your calendar reflects your values and goals.
The best way to make time for traction is to use "timeboxing."
Decide what tasks you're going to do and when you're going to do them.
Make sure your calendar reflects your values and goals.
6) Keep Your Phone Far Away
Researchers found that if you have your phone in your field of view, your brain must work hard to ignore it.
The mere presence of a smartphone can cause a "brain drain."
So put it as far away from you as possible before working.
Researchers found that if you have your phone in your field of view, your brain must work hard to ignore it.
The mere presence of a smartphone can cause a "brain drain."
So put it as far away from you as possible before working.
7) Hack Back Your Phone
Use the 4 R's to reclaim control over your phone:
-Remove
-Replace
-Rearrange
-Reclaim
Use the 4 R's to reclaim control over your phone:
-Remove
-Replace
-Rearrange
-Reclaim
8) Clean Your Digital Desktop
Cleaning your digital desktop will help you stay focused.
-Move old files into a folder or trash
-Turn off desktop notifications
-Only allow notifications from select people, like your boss
Cleaning your digital desktop will help you stay focused.
-Move old files into a folder or trash
-Turn off desktop notifications
-Only allow notifications from select people, like your boss
9) Fight Tech With Tech
Try apps and websites like:
-Forest
-Focusmate
-SelfControl
To block distracting websites and other potential distractions on your computer and smartphone.
Try apps and websites like:
-Forest
-Focusmate
-SelfControl
To block distracting websites and other potential distractions on your computer and smartphone.
10) Become An Indistractable Partner
-Have a phone-free date with your partner
-Buy an outlet timer that turns off the internet at 10PM
-Leave your phone in another room before going to bed
-Have a phone-free date with your partner
-Buy an outlet timer that turns off the internet at 10PM
-Leave your phone in another room before going to bed
PS: If you want to learn more about Indistractable or get a copy, you can do so here:
Geni.us
Geni.us
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