Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Nir Eyal on How to Win Back Your Time and Attention | EP 586
Tue, 18 Mar 2025
In this episode of Passion Struck, John welcomes Nir Eyal, a behavioral designer and author known for his insights into human behavior and technology's impact on our lives. Eyal shares his journey into understanding distraction, rooted in his childhood experiences with obesity and emotional eating. He emphasizes that the real challenge today is not the abundance of information but the ability to focus our attention and turn that information into wisdom.Eyal discusses the concept of becoming "indistractable," highlighting that most distractions stem from internal triggers—emotional states like boredom, loneliness, and anxiety—rather than external ones. He argues that understanding these internal triggers is crucial for managing our attention and breaking free from distractions.Full Shownotes here: https://passionstruck.com/nir-eyal-how-to-win-back-your-time-and-attention/What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Mastering Internal Triggers: Recognizing the emotional discomfort that leads to distraction is essential for regaining control over our time and attention.The Importance of Curiosity-Driven Learning: Eyal advocates for teaching children to be autodidacts, emphasizing the need for skills that will remain relevant in an ever-changing world.Turning Values into Time: Eyal explains that to align our lives with our values, we must intentionally allocate time for activities that reflect who we want to become, rather than allowing distractions to dictate our schedules.Creating Healthy Relationships with Technology: Eyal suggests that parents can help their children manage technology use by modeling indistractable behavior themselves and providing opportunities for free play and social interaction.Reimagining Boredom and Negativity Bias: Eyal encourages listeners to embrace boredom as a catalyst for personal growth and to be aware of the negativity bias that can lead to compulsive media consumption.For more information on Nir Eyal: https://www.nirandfar.com/Sponsors:Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF”Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.”Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.”Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.”Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit.Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSIONNext on Passion Struck:In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals.Join the Passion Struck Community!Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here.Speaking Engagements & WorkshopsAre you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking.Episode Starter PacksWith over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks.Catch More of Passion Struck:Check my interview with Jeffrey C. Walker On The Criticality of Collaboration in Systems ChangeMy episode with Richard Dolan On the Importance of Financial Health in LifeCan't miss my episode with Codie Sanchez on How to Gain Financial FreedomCatch my interview with Adrian Brambila on 21 Brutal Money Lessons You Need NowListen to my solo epísode on Robert Breedlove on the Hidden War on Financial FreedomIf you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally.How to Connect with John:Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMilesFollow him on Instagram at @John_R_MilesSubscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips ChannelFor more insights and resources, visit John’s websiteWant to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today!
What challenges do people face with information overload today?
And now we have ChatGPT and we have all these great products on our devices that allow us to have all the facts and figures we could possibly want at our fingertips. So
information is no longer scarce we're drowning in information what's scarce today is the ability to focus your attention long enough on that information to turn it into wisdom welcome to passion struck hi i'm your host john r miles and on the show we decipher the secrets tips and guidance of the world's most inspiring people and turn their wisdom into practical advice for you and those around you
Our mission is to help you unlock the power of intentionality so that you can become the best version of yourself. If you're new to the show, I offer advice and answer listener questions on Fridays. We have long-form interviews the rest of the week with guests ranging from astronauts to authors, CEOs, creators, innovators, scientists, military leaders, visionaries, and athletes.
Now, let's go out there and become passion struck. Hey, passion struck fam. Welcome to episode 586. Whether you're a longtime listener or joining us for the first time, I am so grateful you're here. You've joined a global movement dedicated to igniting passion, living with intention, and creating a life filled with purpose and impact.
Before we dive in, let's take a moment to reflect on our recent episodes. Last Tuesday, I sat down with Dr. Laurie Santos, one of the world's leading experts on happiness and well-being. She revealed the biggest misconceptions we have about joy, why our minds often mislead us, and how we can cultivate a more fulfilling life through small, intentional changes.
If you haven't listened yet, it's a must-hear conversation that will completely shift how you think about happiness. Then on Thursday, we explored breathwork, vulnerability, and redefining masculinity with Bryant Wood. Bryant shared his powerful journey from external validation to deep inner healing and how breathwork can be a transformative tool for emotional resilience and self-discovery.
If you've ever felt disconnected or struggled with embracing your true self, this episode is for you. Now let me ask you this. Have you ever felt like your attention is constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions, leaving you feeling scattered and unfocused? What if the key to reclaiming your focus isn't about eliminating distractions, but learning how to manage them?
And how can we take back control of our time and attention in an increasingly noisy world? That's exactly what we're exploring today with Nir Eyal, best-selling author of Indistractable and Hooked. Nir is one of the world's leading experts in behavior design, habit formation, and the psychology of focus. His work bridges the intersection of technology, psychology, and business.
helping us understand not only how distractions work, but how we can master them. But this conversation isn't just about avoiding distractions. It's about how to harness your attention to focus on what truly matters. Whether it's your work, relationships, or personal growth, Neera will break down how to master internal triggers that lead to distraction.
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