10 Ways to Defeat Distraction

Technology trains us to crave distraction.

If you aren’t distracted now, you’re anticipating your next ding to chase.

Distraction delivers ankle-deep impact.

10 Ways to Defeat Distraction

#1. Set the tone of your day in the morning.

Wake up early enough to begin slowly. Reconnect with things that matter most. Every morning I notice my wife.

Read, pray, write, and/or set priorities.

#2. Set reminders.

Don’t keep checking your calendar.

#3. Use the 10-minute rule.

Don’t suppress urges. When you feel like chasing a distraction, wait 10 minutes.

#4. Limit the number of windows you open on your screen.

#5. Disconnect for two or three minutes several times a day. 

The ability to disconnect is essential to being present.

#6. Schedule and protect white space.

#7. Prepare for your next appointment by disconnecting from the last.

Take five-minutes between meetings. The next person on your schedule deserves your full attention. If you can’t give it, cancel the appointment.

#8. Turn off unnecessary dings.

A ding is a drug.

#9. Delegate authority to people you trust.

When you delegate to an unreliable person, you create a dripping faucet in your head.

#10. Capitalize on personal rhythms.

Are you a morning person? Do what matters most in the morning.

Don’t waste your life doing ankle-deep work. Meaningful leadership requires eliminating meaningless activities.

Which distraction can you minimize today?

Read: Indistractable

Defeating the Beast that Contaminates Leadership and Dilutes Effectiveness