Meta-Distraction
As I am collecting my thoughts to write on the topic of Distraction, I am being distracted by a lot of stuff.
- Some pending client work
- The messy work desk
- The saved podcast playlist on my phone
- The TBR pile on the bookshelf beside me
I am sure I can add more.
As a modern and evolved species, we like getting distracted. Or we like delaying stuff we find meaningful. It sounds very counterintuitive, I know. But think about it -
You have all your 5 or 10-year plans in place. You already know what you need to do to achieve them. But how come you haven't begun? Why are you delaying your success?
The problem with getting distracted isn't as simple as it seems. And the antidote to distraction isn't more attention.
Let's think about what distraction really looks like and how it manifests in our real world.
It may occur in one or all of the following ways:
- Avoiding important tasks ( learning, planning, up-skilling, getting out of our comfort zone )
- Wasting time ( doing unimportant things )
- Engaging in things that make you lose your sense of time ( social media, entertainment, overthinking, video games, or any other compulsive activities )
- Feelings of fear, anxiety, confusion about what to do ( you have a goal, but you do not know how to get there )
Long-term distractions always is a response to deep-rooted and unaddressed patterns of thinking. Or even loop thinking. A rational mind is supposed to do everything it can do to be successful. In the eyes of society and our families, we are very much that rationale being. But then why aren't we in complete control of our time and attention? Shouldn't doing the right things be easy?
It should be, but sadly it isn't!
So, here are 3 ways we can counter this paradox of distraction. These ways won't help us deal with the just symptom i.e. distraction. But the main problem behind the symptoms i.e. our unaddressed emotions and thinking patterns.
1) Consequence before Distraction
Ask yourself, by choosing distraction, what consequences are you heading towards?
- 3 hours of video games ~ Double the work pressure for the next day.
- Having that cheat meal ~ One day of progress lost after 10 days of consistency
- Reading one more blog/watching one more video ~ More confusion in your thinking
By attaching consequences, you are more likely to trigger your rationale to make the right decisions for you.
2) Let's do the bare minimum?
Do you want to get distracted? Go ahead and do it! But at least do your bare minimum for the day.
- Writing 1 page > Writing 10 pages
- Checking 1 item on your to-do list > Checking 15 items out
- 5 min meditation > 50 mins of meditation
- 1 hour of deep work > 10 hours of distracted work
Set non-negotiables with the bare minimum for any tasks. If you are willing to spend at least 5 minutes on the tasks, and if the tasks are really meaningful, don't worry your brain will be compelled to do more. It's just like starting a domino.
3) Create a distraction-free environment
Deregulate distractions by getting rid of the triggers.
- Video Game isn't a distraction. It sitting in front of your work desk is.
- Phone isn't a distraction. The notification sounds are.
- Information abundance is the distraction. Lack of clear goal-setting and planning is.
Create an environment where the friction between you and the tasks is minimal. And that between you and your triggers is the maximum.
Also, distractions carry a very negative connotation in the modern productivity and hustle culture.
What might be a distraction for you may be the source of creative inspiration for the other. So choose your distractions wisely, and remember to earn your indulgence in that distraction!