Be a Schedule Builder, Not a To-Do List Maker
Behavioral designer, Nir Eyal, reveals the hidden dangers of to-do lists and the value in taking a more scientific approach using a schedule builder.
«Planning in advance how you intend to spend your time is the only way to know the difference between traction (what you said you would do) and distraction (anything else).»
More from Nir Eyal
Why Values In a Relationship Are What Make It Last (Or Not)
You don’t have to agree on everything, but you do have to be aligned. Divorce sucks. My friend is going through one right now. The worst part is that he saw it coming. And he’s not the first of my…
Score Your Spats: How to Stop Arguing and Enhance Your Relationships
I got this message from Shane Parrish: “Oh I meant to tell you... I remember something you told me that I now share with everyone. It's made a difference for so many.” The “something” he’s referring…
«Whenever you have a disagreement with someone you care about and who cares about you, pose this straightforward question:»
One Question to Ask Yourself to Know Your Future
The German writer and philosopher Goethe believed he could predict someone’s future based on one simple fact. “If I know how you spend your time,” he wrote, “then I know what might become of you.”…
«But here’s the thing: Your life in the future isn’t going to look the way you want it to unless you take control of your time and attention.»
Kids’ Video Game Obsession Isn’t Really About Video Games. It’s About Unmet Psychological Needs.
Fortnite has created concern about technology addiction. However, when people say they are addicted to chocolate, they are generally not addicted.
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Boring Phone: How to Stop Phone Addiction
I must admit, I’m quite addicted to my smartphone. My average daily screen time used to touch 9+ hours, which was not clearly healthy. This article is a follow-up to the one I published last year on…
Single-tasking: the power of focusing on one task at a time
Trying to multitask can not only hurt our productivity, but also our ability to learn. Fortunately, there is an alternative way to boost your efficiency: single-tasking.
«That’s why multitasking leads to decrements in performance when compared to performing tasks one at a time.»
Scientists finally know why we get distracted — and how we can stay on track
More than just a distraction, mind-wandering (and its cousin, daydreaming) may help us prepare for the future
«the decoupling of attention from perception, which is what happens when our thoughts separate from our perception of the environment.»
The psychology of unfinished tasks
Unfinished tasks can overwhelm us or motivate us. These contradictory experiences are due to the Zeigarnik and the Ovsiankina effects.
«compared to a task that has not yet been started, individuals have a stronger urge to complete interrupted or unfinished assignments.»
The Paradox of Goals
Here lies the paradox of goals: Setting goals is a guarantee for disillusionment whether we reach the desired state or not, and yet working toward goals is an important part of evolving as a person.…
«It is tempting during such liminal moments to cling on to a ladder – any ladder – to regain an illusory sense of control and progression.»
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