November 25, 2023

How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction

You want to be more productive, but social media, e-mail, text messaging and more can be distracting. We talk to a productivity expert for tips on how to overcome daily distractions. Then, how much do you know about the rules for organ donation? You'll hear the story of one family's battle to save their child, that ended up changing federal regulations.

Episode Segments:

Hyperfocus Chris Bailey, productivity expert, and author of Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction said that the human brain has two powerful modes that can be unlocked when we use our attention well: a focused mode and a creative mode. He explained how to unlock each of these mental modes in order to concentrate more deeply, think more clearly, and work and live more deliberately every day. He explained how to minimize distractions that can cause problems at work and in personal relationships.
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Battling the Healthcare System Journalist Janet Murnaghan is author of Saving Sarah: One Mother's Battle Against the Health Care System to Save Her Daughter's Life. Ms. Murnaghan's young daughter desperately needed a set of donor lungs. A set of lungs was available and there was nothing standing in the way medically, but a federal policy barred children under the age of 12 from receiving adult lungs. Ms. Murnaghan talked about her quest to save Sarah and other kids in similar situations. After a court fight and through the use of social media, she eventually convinced the government to change organ donation rules permanently.
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How to Be a Happier Parent KJ Dell'Antonia, editor of the Motherlode blog in the New York Times from 2011 until 2016 , and author of How to be a Happier Parent: Raising a Family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute said that in her research and writing about family life over the years, one topic keeps coming up again and again: parents crave a greater sense of happiness in their daily lives. She discussed the most common problem areas that cause parents the most grief, and suggested steps parents can take to make them better.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Chris Bailey Chris Bailey has written hundreds of articles on the subject of productivity, and is the author of two books: Hyperfocus, and The Productivity Project. His books have been published in 13 languages. Chris writes about productivity on this site, and speaks to organizations around the globe on how they can become more productive, without hating the process. A Life of Productivity