In today’s lesson, you’ll learn several tools you can use to block distractions (and why we don’t use them), how to say “no”, and 8 steps to eradicate procrastination.
Video Lesson
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Time: 4:50
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Click full screen (lower right corner) to increase the size
Lesson Summary
Distraction blocking tools
Why we don’t use tools to block distractions?
Answer: Using distraction blocking tools is a crutch and similar to saying “I can’t”.
Having said that, I know a lot of people get value from these tools, so I’ve included a quick round-up of popular distraction blocking. They are:
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StayFocusd. A Chrome extension that blocks time-wasting sites.
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FocusBooster. Focus on single tasks for 25 minutes apiece. (This is based on the Pomodoro technique, which I’ve found useful for writing.)
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RescueTime. Tracks time spent on applications and websites, giving you an accurate picture of your day.
Block distractions—by saying “no” man
Have you seen the movie Yes Man?
It’s hilarious. Jim Carrey wants to live better, so he starts saying “yes” to everything, including travel, rock concerts, and blowjobs from geriatric broads. By the end, the world’s a better place, and he winds up with Zooey Deschanel.
It’s a great movie, with a feel-good moral: say yes, embrace the unexpected, and live a more exciting, fulfilling life.
But there’s one problem. It’s not true.
Say “no” more often; you’ll love the results.
Do you know this feeling?
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Your boss (or mother, or spouse) asks you to do something—and you know they’d be better off doing it themselves?
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You’re stuck between two people—who have just enough brains between them to make an idiot—and it’s clear they should be able to solve their problem, without needing your monkey-ass in the middle?
Distractions are everywhere. And we must say “no” to them before they waste one more precious minute of our ever-decreasing time.
Look, distractions are not deathbed-worthy. You’ll never lie on your deathbed—eyes reeling back in your skull—and lament, “Why did I only watch each season of Ice Road Truckers twice? Why not thrice, dammit? WHY NOT THRIIIIIIICE!!!.”
How to just say “no”:
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Go to your kanban board
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Pick one card/task from your backlog and delete it
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Repeat
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Optional: Create a “Not-To-Do” list
Not To-Do List
Many productive people—including Michael Hyatt and Tim Ferriss—swear by the “Not To-Do List.” That’s cool. I like that idea. Plus, when you write down—and more importantly, internalize—your Not-To-Do List, you’re embracing the powerful phrase “I don’t” instead of “I can’t” that we’ve seen work oh-so-well in this module.
8 simple, proven steps to identify—and eradicate—procrastination
In an article in Psychology Today, professor of psychology Dr. Joseph Ferrari recommends these strategies for reducing procrastination:
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Make a list of everything you have to do.
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Write a statement of intention.
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Set realistic goals.
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Break it down into specific tasks.
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Make your task meaningful.
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Promise yourself a reward.
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Eliminate tasks you never plan to do. Be honest!
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Estimate the amount of time you think it will take you to complete a task. Then increase the amount by 100%.
Let’s see how this list connects with what you’ve done so far throughout this course…
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You’ve created your kanban board that lists everything you need to do. In your kanban, you have a backlog of items that you may or may not do.
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You’ve gone through your backlog and deleted at least one item so you feel in control. This gives you autonomy.
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You’ve made sure each task is a SMART goal, and that it is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and timely.
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You’ve created your Game Board of Life to help you identify—and visualize—what matters most to you; this ensures each task is meaningful.
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You’ll enjoy a sense of accomplishment whenever you move a completed task into your “Done” column in your kanban.
Dr. Joseph Ferrari’s list of 8 steps to identify—and eradicate—procrastination is similar to what we done in this course, right? Except our list is a specific framework you can build on further as needed.
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