Article originally published on LinkedIn on Sep. 5, 2022
At the end of each year, I select a word to serve as a guidepost for my year ahead. Inspired by Nir Eyal, the best-selling author of Indistractable, I chose “traction” for 2022.
According to a study published in November 2010 in the peer-reviewed Science journal, nearly half of our waking hours (47%) are spent thinking about something other than what we’re doing. Other studies show that the attention span of the human race has decreased from 12 seconds to eight seconds in the past two decades. Combine that with the way app developers leverage human psychology and the science behind what happens to our brains when we get a ping on our phone, chances are high that I may have already lost you.
If you’re still with me, I’m thrilled. Thank you!
Distracted? You’re not alone.
With all that’s going on in the world, it’s easy to get distracted. There are so many things vying for our attention. Companies are spending millions to capture and hold it. And the tragedy is that many of the things that get our attention are often unimportant and certainly not worth the interruption. That’s the insidious nature of “distraction.” It pulls us away from what we desire.
A solution hidden in plain sight
But here’s the cool thing… hidden in plain sight inside the word “distraction” is the word “traction.” Traction propels us forward and toward the things we want. While the world around me does its thing, working to grab my attention and suck me into its priority, I have my word of the year, “traction,” to serve as a reminder to protect my time and attention.
With “traction” in my mind, I create enough space to ask, “Does this bring me closer to what I want to achieve, or does this pull me away or hold me back?” Based on the answer to that question, I’m able to make a more mindful decision about what and who gets my attention.
“Traction” prompts mindfulness
Have I sworn off social media, detached myself from the news or stopped watching the NCIS episode that I’ve already seen several times before? No, but “traction” prompts me to reflect on my desired outcomes and be more mindful.
With “traction” in mind, I approach social media like a trip to the grocery store. I know what I want. I go there, get what I want and leave. By using social media with a specific purpose in mind, I’m able to limit my time on each platform and use it to my advantage.
In terms of the news, I’m often enticed to click into the provocative headline. However, experience has taught me that I already know where clicking will lead, and “traction” serves as a one-word reminder to redirect my attention to something more productive. Distraction avoided. And in terms of NCIS reruns, I still watch them. I’m human and love that about myself. However, I do act with more intention now than I did previously.
“Traction,” yours for the taking
If you’re still with me, you’re amazing!
If you’re like me and want to invest your time – your most precious resource – doing things that propel you towards the things you want to achieve in your life, then please consider using “traction” as your friendly reminder as I have. There’s no limit to the number of people who can use it, and there’s no cost or obligation. Like so many things in life, the solution is often hidden, in plain sight, inside the very problem we want to solve… DISTRACTON. See what I did there?