Traction vs Distraction
Traction pulls you toward your goals while distraction pulls you away; they are opposite forces competing for your attention.
Also known as: Traction, The Opposite of Distraction
Category: Principles
Tags: focus, attention, productivity, goals, distraction
Explanation
The opposite of distraction is not focus - it's traction. Understanding this reframe can transform how you think about productivity.
**Traction** is anything that pulls you toward achieving your goals. It's forward movement in the direction you want to go.
**Distraction** is anything that pulls you away from achieving your goals. It's movement in the wrong direction.
This framework is powerful because:
1. **It clarifies intent**: The same activity can be traction or distraction depending on your goals. Watching a movie is traction if your goal is rest, but distraction if your goal is finishing a project.
2. **It's action-oriented**: Rather than abstractly thinking about 'being focused,' you can ask: 'Is this creating traction or distraction?'
3. **It removes judgment**: Neither is inherently good or bad - they're directional forces relative to your goals.
To gain traction:
- Get clear on what your goals actually are
- Recognize when you're being pulled away
- Design your environment to create traction by default
- Use time-blocking to protect traction time
When you have a plan, distraction becomes obvious because you know exactly what you're giving up.
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