SOLVED with Mark Manson

How to Beat Distraction and Still Enjoy Life (ft. Nir Eyal)

Oct 9, 2024

Nir Eyal, a behavioral design expert and author of "Indistractable," discusses how to conquer distraction and enhance productivity. He emphasizes that becoming indistractable is a crucial skill in today's world, advocating for a tech-positive approach. Nir delves into the nuanced impact of social media, stressing intention over fear-based narratives. He also shares strategies for effective scheduling and overcoming procrastination, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and thoughtful media engagement for a balanced life.

01:03:22

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Nir Eyal

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Quick takeaways

To become indistractable, mastering internal triggers like boredom and anxiety is crucial for managing distractions effectively.

Implementing accountability partnerships can greatly enhance motivation and commitment, especially during demanding tasks like writing a book.

A nuanced understanding of social media's impact recognizes its benefits and drawbacks, highlighting the need for self-regulation and conscious usage choices.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Writing a Book

Writing a book is an incredibly demanding task that requires immense dedication and focus over extended periods. Many authors face long periods of isolation and self-doubt, often struggling to stay motivated without external accountability. To combat these distractions, the importance of having an accountability partner can be crucial, as it encourages commitment and consistency through mutual support. One author shared his experience of co-writing with a friend, which significantly improved his ability to concentrate and complete his second book.

Distraction Springs from Within

01:23

Focus on Process, Not Completion

01:21

Ride the Wave of Emotions

01:20

Master Control: Define Your Traction

01:23

Intro

2min

Mastering Indistractability

18min

Maximizing Productivity Through Effective Scheduling

4min

The Nuanced Reality of Media Consumption and Its Impact

5min

Navigating Media and Mental Health

14min

Connecting Social Media and To-Do Lists

2min

Conquering Distractions for Greater Productivity

19min

Why can’t we just do the things we know we should do? It’s a simple question with a very complex answer.

To help us answer it, I sat down with my old friend, Nir Eyal, a behavioral design expert and author of the best-selling book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.

I love Nir’s approach because he doesn’t linger on the surface of the problem of distraction by hocking the latest app or hack or fancy new time management method. Instead, he dives right into the thorny emotional realities we all face in trying to lead productive, meaningful lives.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to be “indistractable” and how it’s probably the most important skill of the 21st century. We also get Nir’s take on the role of social media in our lives (his views on this might surprise you). And finally, he answers that timeless question: Why don’t we just do what we know we should do?

Enjoy.

About Nir Eyal

Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. Nir previously taught as a Lecturer in Marketing at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.

He is the author of two bestselling books, Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, and Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. His books have resonated with readers worldwide, selling over 1 million copies in over 30 languages.

Nir’s book, Indistractable: http://geni.us/indistractable

Nir on time boxing: https://www.nirandfar.com/timeboxing/

Nir on values: https://www.nirandfar.com/common-values/

Nir’s free schedule maker: https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/

More articles by Nir: https://www.nirandfar.com/best-articles/

Follow Nir on social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/

https://www.youtube.com/user/nirandfar

https://twitter.com/nireyal

https://www.facebook.com/nirandfar/

http://instagram.com/neyal99

2:02 The F*ck of the Week: Becoming Indistractable