The topic of time management is one of the most popular topics in work and life.

Most of us understand that the antidote to impulsivity is strategic thinking and advance time planning. Effective time planning and goal-setting are inseparable from our mindfulness, so until we learn this art, we risk being less productive.

SMART HR shares mindfulness training tips from Nir Eyal and Julie Li's book "Attentive" :

  1. Time management is suffering management, so it is important to recognize that the reason for attention management is often internal. In order to know ourselves and understand what motivates us to act, it is important to enable a deeper sense of our needs and goals. When we learn to overcome the feelings of discomfort that arise, our attention will be more difficult to divert to extraneous things, and if the urge to be distracted again arises, let's try to wait and watch until everything calms down. When we learn to feel uncomfortable states, it will be easier for us to change our attitude towards our internal stimuli and we will see each task a little differently, perhaps more creatively, curiously and discover more internal motivation.
  2. When we manage to control our internal stimuli, only then will we have the time and space to write down our values, goals and plan our agenda. It is important to find calm and undivided attention for yourself and for planning your perfect day, for work and personal plans. It's time to buy a new workbook and a cute pen, use a time planning app on your computer or phone.
  3. The implementation of our plan will help prevent external stimuli. External stimuli can be considered e-mails. mail, various "notificatiosn", group chats, meetings, various distracting apps. Setting clear boundaries and being able to let others know when you don't want to be interrupted, as well as giving up unnecessary apps or reducing usage limits, can help us reduce external stimuli. In a sense, it is the creation of a new routine.
  4. Prevention of distraction. Why is it important? In order to stick to the plan more effectively, we can use the method of using effort barriers, thanks to which our unwanted behavior can be eliminated. We can change your identity. Sound utopian? 🙂 Let's just try to consider ourselves considerate and tell others about our new limits, let's use newly created rituals: sports, meditation, a quiet walk before the working day or an important meeting. In this way, we will calm your mind, strengthen your new identity and self-control.
  5. Let's create a mindful workplace and try not to be in constant alert mode. Although technology is the main cause of inattention today, let's try to think about whether there is a culture of constant alertness where we work, whether you are able to rest, have quality rest, whether our workplace is adapted to maintaining attention and what we can do ourselves so that the environment inspires us to be here and now, work meaningfully and find daily inner motivation.

And finally. If a colleague during an important meeting is inattentive, disengaged and uses a mobile phone without stopping, ask: “I see you are using a mobile phone. Are you all right?” 🙂

Let's stay attentive 🙂