Interview With Nir Eyal On How To Become Indistractable!

Today I’m joined by Nir Eyal, an author, speaker, and thought leader. Nir writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business.

many people don’t realize that Nir has also founded 2 tech companies since 2003, he’s taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, and he’s invested in a whole bunch of incredibly successful companies like Worklife, Product Hunt, Refresh.io and Eventbrite, in addition to many more. You’ve probably also seen his writing in HBR, Techchrunch and Psychology Today. Wow! So, why have someone who is an expert in technology – and habit-forming technology at that – on the show. Well, actually Nir and I have interesting interests besides the fact that we are both children of Israelis and Hebrew speakers. Nir has recently written an all-new book, which is called Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.

Grab Nir’s Book ‘indistratable’: NirAndFar.com/Indistractable

the schedule maker tool: https://nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/

Summary article: https://www.nirandfar.com/skill-of-the-future/

distraction guide here: https://www.nirandfar.com/distractions/

Habits vs routines article: https://www.nirandfar.com/habits/

Table of content:
1. the opposite of distraction is traction. Therefore, traction is an action that pulls you toward what you want to do. On the other hand, distraction is everything that pulls you away from what you want to do. So Anything can be a distraction and traction.
(4:44-6:40)

2. most distractions comes from within, from internal triggers of uncomfortable emotional state, that we seek to escape from. For example, when we feel lonely, we check facebook.
When we are bored, we check youtube.
(6:40-8:06)

3. Realize the source of the problem by looking within and writing it down. Once you understand what is the real cause, you can gain power over it.
Another way to avoid distraction is by reimagine the trigger, the task and the temperament.
(8:06-12:26)

4. if you want to be free, make time for freedom. “to-do list” is not the answer. Keep a time box calendar and prepare in advance how you want to spend your time.
Remember that the idea is not about never getting distracted, it is by not getting distracted by the same thing again and again.
(12:26-15:36)

5. every distraction always have 3 sources:
Internal trigger, external trigger & plaining problem.
(15:36-17:40)

6. feeling bad is not bad! It is completely normal. The real issue is how we deal with discomfort. Do we let it lead us toward distraction or traction?
(17:40-20:26)

7. prevent distraction with “packs” (20:26-22:28)

8. long term behavior change is identity change (22:28-24:28)

9. the problem is no longer about knowing what to do- use google! The real problem is what we get distracted. Once we find ways to move those distractions, we will finally become who we know we can be.
(24:28-27:00)

10. if you want freedom, you have to work for it. Freedom doesn’t come from doing nothing, you must give yourself constrains. Either for work and fun as well.
(27:00-28:16)

11. Nir’s favorite tech app: forest & focusmate.com
(28:16-30:50)

12. Favorite book you will give to your kids that will improve their life: moby- dick

13. what’s next for you for 2020? Helping others on how to become indistractable.