Before you watch

complete the gaps in the video extract with the words in bold below:

split       sabotage  fatigue     post     

recall     accomplish   crash       overloaded      down

Imagine what you could 1…………. if you sat down to do something and then actually finished it? Our days are full of things that 2……….. our productivity, to-do lists and goals. (…) We are 3. …….. and inundated from the moment we wake up until the moment we fall asleep. How we focus our priorities – or don’t – lies in our own hands. Here are five habits disrupting your ability to focus. (…) Dehydration is the leading cause of poor focus. It causes low energy, headaches, hormonal imbalance and 4. ……… .(…) The quality of our sleep directly affects the quality of our focus and information 5. ………. . (…) We get easily addicted to sugary, processed foods. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that produces a rush of endorphins. It makes us feel great for a while but then we 6. …….. . (…) Social media is now proven to be linked to depression. The need to constantly check or 7. ….. on multiple platforms is enough of a productivity time suck, but add information overload, constant social comparison, and time taken away from in-person relationships, and you’ll likely find yourself feeling 8. ……… to boot. (…) You might think you’re a great multitasker but it’s impossible to avoid a decrease in performance. Multitasking 8. …….s the brain into as many tasks as you’re trying to complete, which means none of it is going to be your best work.(…) We can change what we choose to let in or keep out of our brains, our bodies, and our lives. (…)

Now watch the video and check your answers:

Glossary

• inundated – overwhelmed with things or people to be dealt with

Practice Makes Perfect

Read and decide if the sentences below are True or False:

https://ideas.ted.com/why-the-right-kind-of-ignorance-strategic-ignorance-can-be-a-good-thing/

1. Seemingly, the fewer choices you have, the better off you might be.

2. You need to make out the good things in all the choices you have.

3. Being overloaded with options makes you second-guess yourself.

4. Unless you are determined, it’s easy to take a decision and be committed to it. 

5. Being strategically ignorant means using one’s willpower in amazing situations.  

Key: 1T; 2T; 3T; 4F; 5F

Discuss:

• Do you get distracted easily?
• Do you use any techniques to get things done?
• What helps you focus?
• Have you ever taken part in time management training? What did you learn from it?
• Do you check social media feed when at work?
• What do you think of the idea of avoiding awesome situations not to get distracted?

Explore it more to create your own teaching-learning experience!

When Most People Get Distracted, Great Leaders Do This Instead