In this eye-opening episode, Nir Eyal, bestselling author of Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, reveals the hidden forces behind distraction and how you can reclaim your focus in a world designed to steal it. From the addictive pull of technology to the psychology of habit formation,
Nir shares actionable strategies to help you break free from interruptions, boost productivity, and take back control of your time. If you’ve ever struggled with procrastination or felt overwhelmed by endless distractions, this conversation will give you the tools to become truly indistractable.
“If you want to know what someone’s values really are, you don’t listen to what they say. You look at two things: how they spend their time and how they spend their money.”
nir eyal
Take Control of Your Attention and Stop Falling for Distractions
In this episode, Nir Eyal dives deep into the science of distraction, explaining why we often struggle to stay focused and what we can do about it. He unpacks the hidden triggers that drive us toward time-wasting behaviors and reveals how we can design our environments to support better habits. Nir also discusses the role of technology—not as the enemy, but as a tool that can either serve or control us, depending on how we use it. Through practical strategies and thought-provoking insights, he challenges conventional wisdom around productivity and attention management, offering a roadmap to becoming more intentional with our time.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode With Nir Eyal:
- Distraction isn’t just about technology – The real reason we get distracted starts in our own minds, and understanding this is key to regaining control.
- Master your internal triggers – Learn how emotions like boredom, stress, and uncertainty push us toward procrastination—and how to reframe them.
- Time management is pain management – Nir explains why managing discomfort is the secret to staying on track with your goals.
- Harness technology, don’t let it harness you – Discover how to set up your devices and apps to work for you instead of against you.
- Turn your values into time – Nir shares a practical approach to designing a daily schedule that reflects what truly matters to you.
- The power of precommitments – Learn how making small but intentional choices in advance can keep you from falling into distraction traps.
WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH NIR EYAL A MUST-LISTEN?
This episode is essential for anyone struggling with focus, procrastination, or feeling like time is slipping away. Nir Eyal’s insights go beyond generic productivity tips, offering science-backed strategies that can help you take control of your attention and reclaim your time. Whether you’re a professional trying to boost efficiency, a student looking to improve study habits, or simply someone tired of endless distractions, this conversation will give you the tools to become more intentional and truly indistractable.
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How Boredom and Negativity Bias Can Lead to Personal Growth
Throughout this fascinating Passion Struck episode, Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, sheds light on two often-overlooked forces that shape our behavior—boredom, and negativity bias—and explains how they can be harnessed for personal growth rather than a distraction.
Why Embracing Boredom Is Key to Self-Improvement
Many of us see boredom as something to escape—an unpleasant state that must be filled with activity, entertainment, or work. However, Nir challenges this mindset, arguing that boredom isn’t something to avoid but rather a valuable opportunity for self-examination and creativity.
When we sit with boredom instead of running from it, we create space for deep thinking, problem-solving, and self-reflection. Instead of reaching for a quick distraction, we can use those moments to explore new ideas, set meaningful goals, and develop resilience. Nir highlights that some of the best creative breakthroughs happen in states of boredom when the mind is free to wander and make unexpected connections.
How Negativity Bias Drives Our Distractions
Our brains are wired to focus on negative information more than positive. This negativity bias—a survival mechanism from our evolutionary past—makes us more sensitive to threats, criticism, and bad news. Today, the media and social platforms exploit this tendency, bombarding us with negative stories that keep us scrolling, engaging, and consuming content that often leaves us feeling anxious or drained.
Nir explains that recognizing this bias is the first step to overcoming it. Instead of mindlessly absorbing negativity, we can train ourselves to be more intentional about the information we consume and reframe how we interpret discomfort.
Reframing Discomfort as a Sign of Growth
A major takeaway from Nir’s insights is that discomfort isn’t a signal to stop—it’s a sign of progress. He shares personal stories about overcoming stage fright and public speaking anxiety, explaining how he reimagined fear and discomfort as indicators that he was growing rather than failing.
This shift in perspective can be applied to many areas of life. Instead of avoiding difficult tasks, awkward conversations, or uncomfortable emotions, we can learn to lean into them—understanding that growth happens in discomfort, not in ease.
By embracing boredom, recognizing negativity bias, and reimagining discomfort, Nir provides a roadmap for breaking free from distractions and living with greater purpose and control—core principles he explores in Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.
THANKS, NIR EYAL
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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH NIR EYAL
Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!
- Nir Eyal’s Website
- Nir Eyal’s Twitter
- BUY Nir Eyal’s book Indistractible: https://amzn.to/3FwRar9
- Indistractable bonus content is here: http://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/
- Indistractable summary article: https://www.nirandfar.com/skill-of-the-future/
- Nir’s Timeboxing article: https://www.nirandfar.com/timeboxing/
- LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal/
- Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/user/nirandfar
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/nireyal
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nirandfar/
- Instagram – http://instagram.com/neyal99
- Nir’s Wage slavery article: https://www.nirandfar.com/wage-slaves/
- Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
- Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
- Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.
My solo episode on The Science of Healthy Habits
My episode with Ethan Mollick on the Impact of AI on Life and Work
Can’t miss my episode with Robert Breedlove on the Hidden War on Financial Freedom
Catch my interview with Jeffrey C. Walker On: The Criticality of Collaboration in Systems Change
Listen to my interview with Richard Dolan On the Importance of Financial Health in Life
About Today’s Guest, Nir Eyal
Nir Eyal is a bestselling author, behavioral design expert, and thought leader in the fields of habit formation, focus, and productivity. He is the author of Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, a groundbreaking book that teaches people how to reclaim their time and attention in a world full of distractions. Nir is also known for his widely acclaimed book Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, which explores the psychology behind why certain products and technologies capture our attention.
With a background in psychology, behavioral economics, and technology, Nir has taught as a lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford. His work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and The Wall Street Journal. As an investor and consultant, he has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies, helping them apply behavioral science to build better products and services.
Nir’s insights empower individuals and businesses alike to develop healthier relationships with technology, master their focus, and create more intentional lives.
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