How to stop distractions and begin to manage time
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
we are often so busy they do not even notice what is happening around us. But even worse, when we spend time on unnecessary classes, such as sitting around on the Internet. There are several effective ways to help better allocate their time.
Benjamin Hardy (Benjamin Hardy)
American blogger, writes about psychology and productivity at Medium.
The correct approach to time is very important, because it is how we use the time, determines a lot of things:
- who are we;
- whom we will;
- what we will achieve in life;
- Do we have relationships with other people;
- what we value most.
Hardy made a list of principles that will help to live each day.
Live in the present
The first step - this awareness. Ask yourself: "What do I do now?" - and try to live this moment. If you meet with your friends, do not be distracted no matter what, and enjoy communication. If you wash the dishes, focus on this action and do not think about anything else.
Of course, the same awareness of what you are doing is not enough. Full immersed in the wrong occupation is no better than the constant distraction.
Choose between good and better
In every situation, ask yourself: "Can I use my time more better?" If you are not 100% confident in what you are doing, stop. Surely you can do something more useful. For example, watching a movie with the children - good, but to play with them in active games - best. Read or listen to something inspirational - good, but you can spend time and better, such as helping someone.
The problem with the good things is that they are easy to justify, because they are "good". You can do a thousand good things right now: go to the gym, read a book, chat with a friend, spend time with family. But that in this situation the best? Only the context helps to determine what is good and what is - the better.
Always do the right thing
In every situation, there are always at least two ways. How do you usually come? When the alarm goes off, you immediately get up or press several times on the "Snooze"? You praise a partner or just criticize? You are listening to the person or always say yourself?
Each situation - it is a crossroads on the road. We constantly have to choose what to do and the right way is often difficult. Fortunately, you can learn to always do the right thing, and even to bring it to automatism. Over time you will begin to enjoy looking at the passing day and seeing the results of your work, not time wasted.
Be who you want to become, right now
How do you want to be tomorrow? And after 5, 10, 20 years? When you are 80? Your behavior today reflects how you see yourself in the future. For most people, this representation is not particularly different from their vision of themselves in the present. But this is the wrong approach. When you determine what you see yourself in the future, start to act like this future version of himself. Otherwise, you will never be what you want.
Most people imagine their lives for no more than 3 years ahead, 20% of people - for 5-10 years ahead. These people achieve much greater success. And only 2% of the people are the life of a whole, bearing in mind what they want to be at the end of life. Think, for example, the words of Elon Musk: "I would like to die on Mars. Not only at planting. " It is clear that it determines all his actions. You may have very different views and values. But if you act in accordance with them?
conclusions
Of course, to change their approach to time, needs constant practice. Here are some simple and effective ways to help you better manage time.
- Always remember what you're doing at the moment. Constantly working on it. Stop itself when notice that are disconnected from the present. If you spend time with friends or family, leave your phone in the car or anywhere else where it will not disturb you.
- Write down your core values and goals. Who would you like to see yourself at the end of life? What would you like to achieve? This picture of yourself will determine your "good" and "better." When you know what you want, you begin to realize clearly that you do not need.
- Try to eliminate from the life that prevents you devote all your time, "the better." Or very closely follow how much time is spent on these activities.
- Pick out some kind of poem, quote or song - words that will help you focus and think clearly. When you are assailed by doubts and negative thoughts, or you just notice that began to soar in the clouds, said to himself these words, or just think about them. Then think about your goals. Over time, this will help you to reconstruct the thinking, and you will learn how to think about exactly what you want.