Hey there,

We talk a lot about distractions here and why it's important to put barriers between you and Infinity Pool apps like email, social media, and the news.

At the same time, these technologies do have value. They can help us stay informed, connected, and entertained, which are all important utilities.

So today, let's explore how you can turn those distractions into tools.

Something to Try

With apps like Instagram, Twitter, email, and all the other Infinity Pools out there, we need to remember there was a reason we joined them in the first place.

When I moved abroad to London in 2016, Instagram helped me stay up-to-date with friends and family back home. That same year, Instagram launched the 'Stories' feature, and it made it so easy for me to give a glimpse of my new life to friends halfway across the world. But it wasn't long before I was checking Instagram compulsively.

Think about the Infinity Pools you use, whether it's a news app or Reddit. When you first started out, I'm sure there there was some utility in that technology that made your life a little better.

But then a habit might have taken hold, and you start checking them constantly by default.

The trick then, is to be intentional and use these apps purposefully, not mindlessly.

That's what we call Turning Distractions Into Tools (Tactic #32).

Here’s how you can change your relationship to these tools:

1. Start by identifying why you use a particular app. Is it purely for entertainment? Is it to keep in touch with friends and family? Is it to stay updated on certain kinds of important news? And if so, is it actually adding value to your life?
2. Next, think about how much time—­ per day, per week, per month—­ you want to spend on that activity. And consider whether this app is the best way to accomplish it. For example, you might use Instagram to keep in touch with friends, but is it really the best way to do that? Would you be better off calling them?
3. Finally, consider when and how you’d like to use that app to achieve your goal. You might realize that you can read the news once a week or save email for the end of the day. You might decide to give up Instagram except for sharing baby pictures.

Personally, I decided to quit Instagram all together. Instead of broadcasting updates to friends and family, I send photo updates into a couple iMessage groups and that's it.

But that's not the decision everyone needs to make.

Recently, there was a participant in one of my corporate workshops who decided to intentionally shift their relationship to TikTok. They didn't want to eliminate the app entirely, because they found it so entertaining and interesting. But they were tired of the constant compulsion to check it when it was available 24/7 on their phone.

So they decided to give themself an hour every Saturday morning to fully enjoy the feed, be entertained, and laugh at the latest trends. When the hour is up, they delete the app from their phone until the following Saturday.

While that might sound extreme, it puts a healthy barrier between them and their Infinity Pool, ensuring they can spend their time well throughout the week without the lure of distraction. They still get to enjoy the benefits, but on their own terms.

There's no right or wrong way to approach your relationship with Infinity Pools.

All I'm saying is it's worth taking a moment to be intentional with how you use them.

That way, you can find ways to use technology rather than have it use you.

Something to Read

As a soon-to-be parent, I can't help but think about how I'll approach technology when my kid grows up. That's why I found Jonathan Haidt's article "The Terrible Costs of a Phone-Based Childhood" in The Atlantic a fascinating (and terrifying) read. The debate around technology and kids is a spicy one, and Haidt's piece has stirred up a lot of discussion. It's worth a read if this conversation interests you.

Tech & Tools

If you go through the above steps and still struggle to limit yourself to the restrictions you set, there are various tools you can download that can help you take back control.

For example, Brick is a new physical device that enables you keep the tools but block out the distractions. Whereas other solutions (like setting app-based time limits or turning on Do Not Disturb) are easy to disable, Brick puts a physical barrier between you and the ability to unlock the distraction.

Timely Quotes

Thanks for reading, see you next week!
Connor