I won yesterday's battle.

Sometimes it’s touch-and-go, but yesterday the forces of good prevailed over the empire of destruction (aka bright-shiny-distraction).

You see, as weird as it may seem, I run a Distraction Deathmatch each day. It's an epic battle for my attention. Every time I resist the urge to be distracted: +1 point. Each time I succumb: -1 point.

It's only a silly game I know. But don't underestimate the miniature fanfare that goes off in my head as I feel the urge, resist and then scratch the tally mark down on my planner.

Parades have been held for less... well, maybe not.

I can't explain all the science, but as someone who has had a love affair with distraction over the years, and has tried all manner of things, this strategy is working for me.

Nir Eyal says that "Time management is pain management", and I'm on board with that. Each distraction is your brain trying to escape the underlying discomfort of the task. It could be uncertainty or insecurity, or maybe boredom. The distraction promises sweet release. It's a deathmatch!

The image illustrates the approach. As I aim for a +10 score at the end of the day, I'm building a level of resilience to the itch that pulls me from my best work. 

But this is just my strategy to influence myself. What do you do to stay on task when you feel that sweet pull of distraction?