In my work as a coach and trainer, productivity hacks are a hot topic. Which means I’ve always got my eyes open for something new and intriguing.
A few years ago, I started to see articles about Attention Management. The next iteration of Time Management. Especially relevant for today's hyperconnected world.

It’s an interesting topic. But I never found anything revelatory in the articles I’d read.

That changed a few weeks ago. I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and found something promising.

A new book on the topic. It was in the running for an award. With many people singing its praises. Including the Globe & Mail - it made their Top 10 Business Booklist for 2019.

The book is Indistractable by Nir Eyal.

The Irony of Struggling to Find the Time to Read a Time Management Book

If you look at the bookshelf in my office, my Google Play wish list, articles saved to Pocket and Feedly, podcasts queue and YouTube watch later section, you’d notice…… I’m more than a little behind on my reading.

So instead of adding another book to the pile, I thought I’d check out a video instead. Love to do this when I’m making dinner. My version of a “cooking” show.

So popped over to YouTube and it did not disappoint. Google “Indistractable” and you’ll get dozens of hits. A bit overwhelming tbh.

Like Goldilocks, I opted for not too long, not too short. And went with just right. For me, that was a 20-minute talk by the author.

As I watched, I thought “this guy is on to something”. I get why there’s so much buzz.

How to Become Indistractable

It’s the premise of the book. Intriguing, no? What would it be like to not have your day run by what Eyal refers to as “pings, dings and rings”? Having control of your attention throughout the day? Yes please.

So how, pray tell, can we get started on this journey?

~5:30, Eyal offers what I see as the most compelling idea of the video. There are dozens of external triggers - said pings, dings and rings. Too many to count some days. But if you want to be indistractable, you’ll need to get a handle on internal triggers too. He explains "…these internal triggers, these uncomfortable sensations that originate within us “ are what “prompt us to …...distraction"

These uncomfortable sensations are feelings we’re looking to escape -- boredom, loneliness, pain..... So we turn to things like Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc. to avoid those feelings.

I didn’t hear Eyal mention mental fatigue as one of those uncomfortable sensations, but I’d add it too. During the day, especially mid-afternoon, it’s easy to run out of energy. If I have something boring, hard or something I don’t want to do, my attention bounces all over the place. I’ll often find myself down some YouTube rabbit hole like….. Well watch Ellen, she knows what I mean.

This article is about Attention Management. But if you're curious about managing your energy too, I’ll have a new article up next post for you to check out.

Now…. where was I?

Dealing with Discomfort

Right. Feelings. Uncomfortable feelings.

Dealing with these feelings takes some work. Eyal talks about ways to deal with those feelings around 8:00 minutes into the first video above. It’s a quick overview. If you want to dig deeper, you can check out other videos from him or get his book.

A Few Solutions

Because the causes of distraction are almost infinite, there are many solutions. In the video, Eyal discusses a few.

While tech is a big part of our distractedness, it can also provide solutions. Eyal talks about three that work for him at ~19:45 in the Indistractable video.

Organizationally, distraction can be costly. Life-threatening in some professions. A brilliant case study ~13:30 shows how innovative teams can be in finding solutions. Solutions elegant in their simplicity. Inspiring in their impact.

~15:00 shows another low-tech idea. This one for individuals. A simple sign to let people know not to interrupt unless it’s important. And a fun version of the same idea that I’d guess is a hit with kids.

Last but not least, there are several “Hack Back” chapters in the book. Hack back Email, Group Chat, Smartphone and more. I know a few people who’ll pick up the book for advice on email alone.

In a Nutshell

The author sums up it all up in this diagram. If you want to accomplish more (Traction), you’ll need to master both internal and external triggers. If you don’t, you’ll find yourself pulled towards Distraction, accomplishing less. Simple, but not easy.

Wrapping Up

Productivity hacks abound online. We’re always looking for new ideas to get more done.

When something comes along that looks at the problem in a new way, it's worth slowing down to take a look. Attention Management is a paradigm shift that has potential. It's especially beneficial given our attachment to our devices. They can hijack our time and attention if unchecked.

I know I’ll be using these ideas for myself and clients going forward. How about you? Has Attention Management gotten your attention? Is this a Time Management strategy worth your time?

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Oh…. and for those of you who prefer a podcast, here’s a link to an HBR interview from earlier this year with the Indistractable author Nir Eyal. It’s ~20 minutes.