I’m fascinated with how the smartest people in the world get their work done. That’s what Superorganizers is about: seeing all of the little habits that make up a great work day and a great life. Artificial intelligence has changed what it means to be productive and efficient at work, so we decided to revisit some of our favorite interview subjects to understand how their routines have changed in the era of AI models. Recently, we spoke to designer Marie Poulin, newsletter writer Polina Pompliano, and former Holloway CEO Andy Sparks. Today, we’re back with Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable.—Dan Shipper
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Nir Eyal wants you to rethink distraction. He’s made that clear in his best-selling book Indistractable, which came out in 2019. In the book, he outlines a four-step process for becoming “indistractable”—master internal triggers, make time for traction (the “opposite of distraction,” as he defines), cut back on external triggers, and prevent distraction with pacts.
But when we first spoke to Nir in May 2020, the world was a different place. It was right after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and perhaps before we grasped how much havoc it would wreak on our world, how disruptive it would be for our habits, or how much it would change the ways each of us work. It was also before the advent of artificial intelligence, which promises to automate, improve, or at least assist in our work.
We caught up with Nir to see if his personal workflow has changed and what we can learn from Indistractable in a post-pandemic, generative AI world where so many of us are working from home with distractions everywhere and potentially transformational technology at our fingertips.
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### Summary
- Author of 'Indistractable', Nir Eyal, comments on how the distractions faced today are more significant than when he wrote the book in 2019, anticipating that AI will make a significant impact on how we reduce distractions in the future.
- He highlights how AI could create a Jiminy Cricket-type conscience within AI technology, using voice commands to help align current behaviour with long-term goals, rather than acting as a reactive response.
- Eyal is optimistic about AI's future potential, mentioning how it can help generate ideas and assist in completing mundane tasks to free up time for other activities.
- However, he also warns against the potential for AI technology to become overly manipulative, stating that it is essential to utilise AI's benefits while also maintaining control over its use in daily life.
#### By Scott Nover / Superorganizers
