Shiny & New: Tension with Attention | Ep. 18

Strong & Awake

Episode 18 | Humans who don't have the ability to delay gratification are stunted in their growth for the rest of their life.

In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch tackle the pervasive allure of "shiny and new" distractions that derail our focus and growth. They share personal stories and practical strategies to combat the constant pull of immediate gratification. By acknowledging the ever-present temptations, setting up our environments for success, and leveraging community support, we can make deliberate choices that align with our long-term goals.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 03:33 The Trap of Shiny and New
• 15:08 Signals and Surges
• 18:50 Decisive Action Against Distractions
• 26:54 Perspective: The Nature of Things
• 28:53 People: The Power of Community
• 31:01 Practice: Building Your Rule of Life
• 34:19 Patience: Playing the Long Game
• 38:51 True Ease and Deep Comfort

Mentions:

• Eugene Peterson: Christian writer known for "The Message," a contemporary translation of the Bible.
• Marcus Aurelius: Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, author of "Meditations."
• Russell Brand: Comedian and author of many books on recovery and addiction.
• Andy Crouch: Author who discusses putting things in their proper place.
• Seth Godin: Author and speaker, mentioned for his talk on human potential and the concept of "people like us do things like this."
• M. Scott Peck: Psychiatrist and author of "The Road Less Traveled" and "People of the Lie," known for his insights on delayed gratification.
• The Eisenhower Matrix: A time management tool that categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance.

Anchor Actions:

1. Anticipate and Acknowledge Temptations:

Before starting your day, acknowledge that distractions and temptations will arise. Recognize the "shiny and new" items and interruptions that will try to pull you away from your goals. By anticipating these distractions, you prepare yourself mentally to resist them.

2. Create a Delay Gratification Strategy:

Implement strategies to delay gratification. For example, set specific times to check emails or open packages. Place notifications on silent or use apps that temporarily block distracting websites. This helps you stay focused on tasks that align with your long-term goals.

3. Community:

Surround yourself with a community that shares your values and goals. Engage with people who care and hold the tension of support and challenge. Whether it’s through a group like MWOD or a close-knit circle of friends, having a community helps reinforce your commitment to choosing the hard but rewarding path.

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*Transcript Note: The transcript of our podcast is AI-generated and may contain errors. We aim for accuracy but appreciate your understanding and feedback on any discrepancies.

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