#19 - Be Lazy...

By Armaan Athwal

Today's Overview:

• Indistractable: Following through with your plans

• Effective timeboxing

• Flexible timeboxing: Finding balance and adaptability

• Quote of the day

Indistractable

Be lazy… if you schedule time to do so.

I recently read the book Indistractable by Nir Eyal and gained a wealth of information and tips from it about staying indistractable.

One of the biggest tips I implemented is timeboxing.

Timeboxing is a time management technique where you allocate fixed time periods to specific tasks or activities. This method helps you stay focused and ensures that you dedicate time to both work and relaxation.

This is a simple strategy that I am sure some of you are already aware of, but it is something many don’t use or adhere to it.

It’s often we complain about being distracted, but without knowing what something is stealing your attention from, it is impossible to recognize it as a distraction. If you haven't scheduled your time, how can you figure out what's causing your distraction?

This concept Nir Eyal says emphasizes the importance of following through with your plans and executing tasks with intent. His idea focuses on the value of doing what you have scheduled, ensuring that every activity, whether it's work or leisure, is intentional.

Effective Timeboxing

Before creating your schedule, consider how much time you want to spend in different areas of your life, such as relationships, work, and "me" time.

Follow these steps to timebox your schedule:

1. Identify Your Tasks: List all the tasks you need to complete.
2. Estimate Time: Determine how much time each task will require.
3. Create a Schedule: Allocate specific time blocks for each aspect of your day, including breaks and leisure activities.
4. Stick to the Plan: Follow your schedule as closely as possible, but be flexible enough to make adjustments when necessary.

By following this principle, you can better manage distractions and stay on track with your goals. This approach not only boosts productivity but also enhances your overall sense of control and fulfillment in both your professional and personal life.

Flexible Timeboxing

One of the most important aspects of timeboxing is to remain general and flexible when making adjustments as needed.

Being too specific can make it hard to stick to your schedule and I find that you almost live by the schedule. Instead of letting the schedule dictate every single one of your actions, it should serve as more of a guiding hand, allowing flexibility and adaptation as needed.

For example, instead of boxing out time for multiple tasks during your work hours, allocate a single block of time that is general for your work hours and create a list of tasks to accomplish within that period. This approach helps you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed by an overly rigid schedule.

Also, don’t hesitate to make adjustments to your schedule. Otherwise, you might find yourself passing up opportunities simply because you feel obligated to stick to your allocated schedule. Overall, aim to timebox and plan a schedule that is both realistic and beneficial for you.

Quote of the Day

“Distraction, it turns out, isn’t about the distraction itself; rather, it’s about how we respond to it.” - Nir Eyal

If we fail to refocus our attention, we risk falling into the pit of distraction.