Gloria Mark’s research found that after a distraction, it takes an average of 23 minutes to return to the original task. Yup, 23 minutes. Not because you’re undisciplined. Because the digital world you live in was literally designed, using the same behavioral principles as slot machines, to pull your attention away from what matters.

In this episode you’ll also hear four concrete skills to help you stay focused and keep doing what matters to you, even when everything around you is pulling your attention somewhere else.

Show notes with time-stamps

0:00 The friend who understands his values but still can’t focus
1:58 Playing-it-safe behavior #6: checking, scrolling, and drifting
2:11 Gloria Mark’s research on task-switching and the 23-minute recovery
3:09 Matthew Crawford on attention as a contested resource
4:00 Nir Eyal’s research on internal triggers as the true driver of distraction
4:16 Cal Newport’s deep work research: focus as a trainable skill
4:37 Committed action and psychological flexibility
4:55 Four principles from chapter 8 of the ACT Workbook
5:05 Principle 1: The personal commitment statement
5:37 Principle 2: Environmental design before willpower
6:11 Principle 3: Progressive focus training
6:42 Principle 4: Compassionate coaching during focused work
8:42 This week’s challenge: design a focused work session

Listen Here

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And if you missed any of the episodes on procrastination, one of the most classic playing-it-safe moves out there, you can catch up here:

Ep. 93 — Understanding Procrastination: The Psychological Processes Behind It
Ep. 94 — You’re Not Lazy, Your Mind is Just Very Good at This
Ep. 95 — Stop Chasing Goals. Start Living Your Values.
Ep. 96 — The Second Arrow: Why Being Hard on Yourself is Keeping You Stuck
Ep. 97 — Your Mind is Lying to You About Why You Can’t Start
Ep. 98 — The Goal Trap: Why Your Goals are Keeping You Stuck
Ep. 99 — You Don’t Have a Time Problem. You Have a Time Story.

Learn research-based skills and actionable steps to make better decisions, adjust to uncertain situations, make bold moves, & do more of what matters to you.

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About Dr. Z.

I’m originally from Bolivia, South America, and am a psychologist by training. I’m formally trained in empirically supported treatments, and when I say “formally,” I mean that since 2004 I have received intensive training in them, particularly in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). 

Over the past 18 years, I have created resources for and worked with overthinkers and overachievers dealing with all types of anxiety-related struggles: perfectionism, procrastination, productivity anxiety, uncertainty intolerance, indecision, impostor phenomenon, overthinking, phobias, rumination, panic, worry and obsessive-compulsive disorder. I absolutely love my job!

In 2019, I was nominated as a fellow by the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science because of my contributions related to the applications of ACT for anxiety-based struggles. I’m the author of seven books and the co-author of three (see the section on previously written books).

I’m the founder and director of the East Bay Behavior Therapy Center, a boutique private center in the San Francisco Bay Area that offers therapy and coaching for anyone experiencing anxiety-based struggles.

In 2023, I gave a TEDx talk, “Stop playing-it-safe and start living” that has more than 264K downloads.

While I’m a psychologist by training and science-based by passion, my style is jargon-free, accessible, caring, and lighthearted; teaching ACT skills doesn’t have to be boring or inaccessible, so I do my best to make every skill I teach—in any format—as engaging as possible. 

I believe that learning to navigate anxiety-based reactions is one of the key skills of the 21st century, and I’m passionate about it.

I'm passionate about disseminating ACT skills for anxiety-based struggles.

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