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Do you ever find yourself...
Do you ever find yourself...
Do
you
ever
find
yourself
Do you ever find yourself trying to concentrate
Do you ever find yourself trying to
concentrate
concentrate
X
Do
you
ever
find
yourself
trying
to
concentrate
and you can't seem to focus?
and you can't seem to
focus
focus
X
?
and
you
can't
seem
to
focus
Why are we so distracted these days?
Why are we so
distracted
distracted
X
these days?
Why
are
we
so
distracted
these
days
And is technology the root cause of the problem,
And is technology the
root
root
X
cause of the problem,
And
is
technology
the
root
cause
of
the
problem
or is there something deeper going on?
or is there something deeper going on?
or
is
there
something
deeper
going
on
My name is Nir Eyal, and I've spent the last five years
My name is Nir Eyal, and I've spent the last five years
My
name
is
Nir
Eyal
and
I've
spent
the
last
five
years
researching and writing about the deeper psychology of distraction.
researching and writing about the deeper psychology of distraction.
researching
and
writing
about
the
deeper
psychology
of
distraction
When I found myself struggling with distraction,
When I found myself
struggling
struggling
X
with distraction,
When
I
found
myself
struggling
with
distraction
I decided to do what many people advise
I decided to do what many people advise
I
decided
to
do
what
many
people
advise
and got rid of the distracting technology.
and
got rid
got rid
X
of the distracting technology.
and
got
rid
of
the
distracting
technology
I got myself a flip-phone without any apps.
I got myself a
flip-phone
without any apps.
I
got
myself
a
flip-phone
without
any
apps
All it did was phone calls and text messages.
All it did was phone calls and text messages.
All
it
did
was
phone
calls
and
text
messages
Then I got a word processor from the 1990s
Then I got a word processor from the 1990s
Then
I
got
a
word
processor
from
the
1990s
without any sort of internet connection.
without any sort of internet connection.
without
any
sort
of
internet
connection
Unfortunately I found I still got distracted.
Unfortunately I found I still got
distracted
distracted
X
.
Unfortunately
I
found
I
still
got
distracted
I'd start reading a book from my bookshelf.
I'd start reading a book from my bookshelf.
I'd
start
reading
a
book
from
my
bookshelf
I'd tidy up my desk. I'd take out the trash even -
I'd tidy up my desk. I'd take out the
trash
trash
X
even -
I'd
tidy
up
my
desk
I'd
take
out
the
trash
even
just to avoid the thing that I didn’t want to do.
just to avoid the thing that I didn’t want to do.
just
to
avoid
the
thing
that
I
didn’t
want
to
do
I had only focused on the external triggers -
I had only focused on the external
triggers
triggers
X
-
I
had
only
focused
on
the
external
triggers
the pings and dings that were leading me towards distraction.
the
pings and dings
that were leading me towards distraction.
the
pings
and
dings
that
were
leading
me
towards
distraction
What I hadn't focused on,
What I hadn't focused on,
What
I
hadn't
focused
on
and what turns out to be a much more common source of distraction,
and what turns out to be a much more common source of distraction,
and
what
turns
out
to
be
a
much
more
common
source
of
distraction
are the internal triggers -
are the internal
triggers
triggers
X
-
are
the
internal
triggers
the uncomfortable emotional states that we seek to escape.
the uncomfortable emotional states that we seek to escape.
the
uncomfortable
emotional
states
that
we
seek
to
escape
When we're lonely, we check Facebook.
When we're lonely, we check Facebook.
When
we're
lonely
we
check
Facebook
When we're uncertain, we google.
When we're uncertain, we google.
When
we're
uncertain
we
google
When we're bored, we check the news, stocks prices, sports scores -
When we're bored, we check the news, stocks prices, sports scores -
When
we're
bored
we
check
the
news
stocks
prices
sports
scores
anything to not feel these uncomfortable sensations
anything to not feel these uncomfortable
sensations
sensations
X
anything
to
not
feel
these
uncomfortable
sensations
that we're not ready to experience.
that we're not ready to experience.
that
we're
not
ready
to
experience
Here are a few techniques I discovered in my research
Here are a few techniques I discovered in my research
Here
are
a
few
techniques
I
discovered
in
my
research
that could help us stay on track.
that could help us
stay on track
stay on track
X
.
that
could
help
us
stay
on
track
First what you want to do is to make sure you plan your day.
First what you want to do is to make sure you plan your day.
First
what
you
want
to
do
is
to
make
sure
you
plan
your
day
Two-thirds of people don't keep any sort of calendar,
Two-thirds of people don't keep any sort of calendar,
Two-thirds
of
people
don't
keep
any
sort
of
calendar
any kind of schedule in their day.
any kind of
schedule
schedule
X
in their day.
any
kind
of
schedule
in
their
day
Well the fact of the matter is if you don't plan your day,
Well the fact of the matter is if you don't plan your day,
Well
the
fact
of
the
matter
is
if
you
don't
plan
your
day
somebody is going to plan it for you.
somebody is going to plan it for you.
somebody
is
going
to
plan
it
for
you
Many of us believe in this myth of the to-do list.
Many of us believe in this myth of the to-do list.
Many
of
us
believe
in
this
myth
of
the
to-do
list
I used to think that just by writing things down they'd get done.
I used to think that just by writing things down they'd get done.
I
used
to
think
that
just
by
writing
things
down
they'd
get
done
But of course I'd go from day to day to day
But of course I'd go from day to day to day
But
of
course
I'd
go
from
day
to
day
to
day
recycling the bottom half of my to-to list
recycling the bottom half of my to-to list
recycling
the
bottom
half
of
my
to-to
list
because I wasn't making time to do those tasks.
because I wasn't making time to do those tasks.
because
I
wasn't
making
time
to
do
those
tasks
So the best place to start is not with the output
So the best place to start is not with the
output
output
X
So
the
best
place
to
start
is
not
with
the
output
of what you want to get done every day,
of what you want to get done every day,
of
what
you
want
to
get
done
every
day
but with the input of how much time you have to devote to every task.
but with the input of how much time you have to
devote
devote
X
to every task.
but
with
the
input
of
how
much
time
you
have
to
devote
to
every
task
So distraction has many consequences.
So distraction has many consequences.
So
distraction
has
many
consequences
One of them is that we find that when someone is interrupted during a task,
One of them is that we find that when someone is interrupted during a task,
One
of
them
is
that
we
find
that
when
someone
is
interrupted
during
a
task
it can take up to 20 minutes for them to refocus on what they were doing.
it can take up to 20 minutes for them to refocus on what they were doing.
it
can
take
up
to
20
minutes
for
them
to
refocus
on
what
they
were
doing
Many times we don't even realise how much worse our output is when we...
Many times we don't even realise how much worse our
output
output
X
is when we...
Many
times
we
don't
even
realise
how
much
worse
our
output
is
when
we
So check email in one solid block.
So check email in one solid block.
So
check
email
in
one
solid
block
If you enjoy using social media that's great,
If you enjoy using social media that's great,
If
you
enjoy
using
social
media
that's
great
but make time for it in your day so it's not something you're only using
but make time for it in your day so it's not something you're only using
but
make
time
for
it
in
your
day
so
it's
not
something
you're
only
using
every time you feel bored or lonely.
every time you feel bored or lonely.
every
time
you
feel
bored
or
lonely
Researchers have found that surfing the urge
Researchers have found that surfing the
urge
urge
X
Researchers
have
found
that
surfing
the
urge
is an effective way to master our internal triggers.
is an effective way to master our internal
triggers
triggers
X
.
is
an
effective
way
to
master
our
internal
triggers
In a smoking cessation study,
In a smoking
cessation
cessation
X
study,
In
a
smoking
cessation
study
researchers found that when they taught smokers how to notice
researchers found that when they taught smokers how to notice
researchers
found
that
when
they
taught
smokers
how
to
notice
the sensation and be mindful of what they were experiencing,
the sensation and be mindful of what they were experiencing,
the
sensation
and
be
mindful
of
what
they
were
experiencing
they became much more likely to stop smoking.
they became much more likely to stop smoking.
they
became
much
more
likely
to
stop
smoking
By surfing the urge and noticing what it is that we're experiencing
By surfing the
urge
urge
X
and noticing what it is that we're experiencing
By
surfing
the
urge
and
noticing
what
it
is
that
we're
experiencing
and allowing that sensation to crest and then subside -
and allowing that sensation to
crest
crest
X
and then subside -
and
allowing
that
sensation
to
crest
and
then
subside
kind of like how a surfer might surf a wave -
kind of like how a surfer might surf a wave -
kind
of
like
how
a
surfer
might
surf
a
wave
we allow that emotion, that uncomfortable internal trigger,
we allow that emotion, that uncomfortable internal trigger,
we
allow
that
emotion
that
uncomfortable
internal
trigger
to crest and then pass.
to
crest
crest
X
and then pass.
to
crest
and
then
pass
The next thing that we want to do is be careful of liminal moments.
The next thing that we want to do is be careful of liminal moments.
The
next
thing
that
we
want
to
do
is
be
careful
of
liminal
moments
Liminal moments are these periods of time when we are transitioning
Liminal moments are these periods of time when we are transitioning
Liminal
moments
are
these
periods
of
time
when
we
are
transitioning
from one task to the other.
from one task to the other.
from
one
task
to
the
other
So for example if you start checking your email
So for example if you start checking your email
So
for
example
if
you
start
checking
your
email
on the way back from a meeting and you're finally at your desk
on the way back from a meeting and you're finally at your desk
on
the
way
back
from
a
meeting
and
you're
finally
at
your
desk
and you keep checking your email
and you keep checking your email
and
you
keep
checking
your
email
instead of getting to the task at hand
instead of getting to the task at hand
instead
of
getting
to
the
task
at
hand
well now that liminal moment has turned into a distraction.
well now that liminal moment has turned into a distraction.
well
now
that
liminal
moment
has
turned
into
a
distraction
So be careful of those times
So be careful of those times
So
be
careful
of
those
times
when you're transitioning from one task to the next.
when you're transitioning from one task to the next.
when
you're
transitioning
from
one
task
to
the
next
A study of alcoholics found that the number one determinant
A study of alcoholics found that the number one
determinant
determinant
X
A
study
of
alcoholics
found
that
the
number
one
determinant
of whether someone would stay sober after a rehabilitation programme
of whether someone would stay sober after a rehabilitation programme
of
whether
someone
would
stay
sober
after
a
rehabilitation
programme
was not their level of physical dependency,
was not their level of physical dependency,
was
not
their
level
of
physical
dependency
it wasn't what was happening in their body,
it wasn't what was happening in their body,
it
wasn't
what
was
happening
in
their
body
in fact it was what was happening in their minds.
in fact it was what was happening in their minds.
in
fact
it
was
what
was
happening
in
their
minds
The people who were most likely to stay sober
The people who were most likely to stay sober
The
people
who
were
most
likely
to
stay
sober
were those who believed they had the power to stop.
were those who believed they had the power to stop.
were
those
who
believed
they
had
the
power
to
stop
So when we think that technology is hijacking our brains
So when we think that technology is
hijacking
hijacking
X
our brains
So
when
we
think
that
technology
is
hijacking
our
brains
or it's addicting everyone, we are making it more likely that
or it's addicting everyone, we are making it more likely that
or
it's
addicting
everyone
we
are
making
it
more
likely
that
we won't be able to put technology distractions in their place.
we won't be able to put technology distractions in their place.
we
won't
be
able
to
put
technology
distractions
in
their
place
So don't believe this lie that there's nothing we can do.
So don't believe this lie that there's nothing we can do.
So
don't
believe
this
lie
that
there's
nothing
we
can
do
Clearly there's so much we can do
Clearly there's so much we can do
Clearly
there's
so
much
we
can
do
to help make sure that we get the best out of these products
to help make sure that we get the best out of these products
to
help
make
sure
that
we
get
the
best
out
of
these
products
without letting them get the best of us.
without letting them get the best of us.
without
letting
them
get
the
best
of
us
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks
for
watching
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flip-phone
/ˈflɪpˌfəʊn/
![]()
/ˈflɪpˌfoʊn/
![]()
Definition
(noun) A type of mobile phone that has a hinged cover that can be flipped open and closed.
Example
My grandmother still uses a flip-phone because she finds it easier to use.
əːdʒ
![]()
ərdʒ
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________A________ ________s________t________r________o________n________g________ ________d________e________s________i________r________e________ ________o________r________ ________i________m________p________u________l________s________e________ ________t________o________ ________d________o________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________.________
/sɛnˈseɪʃənz/
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________P________h________y________s________i________c________a________l________ ________o________r________ ________e________m________o________t________i________o________n________a________l________ ________f________e________e________l________i________n________g________s________ ________o________r________ ________e________x________p________e________r________i________e________n________c________e________s________.________
ˈfəʊkəs
![]()
ˈfoʊkəs
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________A________ ________m________a________i________n________ ________p________u________r________p________o________s________e________ ________o________r________ ________i________n________t________e________r________e________s________t________.________
dɪˈstraktɪd
![]()
dəˈstræktəd
![]()
Definition
________(________a________d________j________e________c________t________i________v________e________)________ ________U________n________a________b________l________e________ ________t________o________ ________c________o________n________c________e________n________t________r________a________t________e________ ________o________r________ ________f________o________c________u________s________ ________o________n________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________.________
ˈkɒnsɛntreɪt
![]()
ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪt
![]()
Definition
________(________v________e________r________b________)________ ________T________o________ ________d________i________r________e________c________t________ ________o________n________e________'________s________ ________a________t________t________e________n________t________i________o________n________ ________o________r________ ________m________e________n________t________a________l________ ________e________f________f________o________r________t________ ________t________o________w________a________r________d________s________ ________a________ ________p________a________r________t________i________c________u________l________a________r________ ________t________a________s________k________ ________o________r________ ________o________b________j________e________c________t________.________
ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ
![]()
ˈstrəɡ(ə)lɪŋ
![]()
Definition
________(________a________d________j________e________c________t________i________v________e________)________ ________h________a________v________i________n________g________ ________d________i________f________f________i________c________u________l________t________y________ ________o________r________ ________m________a________k________i________n________g________ ________s________l________o________w________ ________p________r________o________g________r________e________s________s________ ________i________n________ ________a________ ________t________a________s________k________ ________o________r________ ________a________c________t________i________v________i________t________y________
krɛst
![]()
krɛst
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________t________h________e________ ________h________i________g________h________e________s________t________ ________p________o________i________n________t________ ________o________r________ ________p________e________a________k________ ________o________f________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________
/ˈʃɛdjuːl/
![]()
ˈskɛˌdʒul
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________A________ ________p________l________a________n________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________l________i________s________t________s________ ________t________h________e________ ________t________i________m________e________s________ ________a________t________ ________w________h________i________c________h________ ________c________e________r________t________a________i________n________ ________e________v________e________n________t________s________ ________o________r________ ________a________c________t________i________v________i________t________i________e________s________ ________a________r________e________ ________i________n________t________e________n________d________e________d________ ________t________o________ ________h________a________p________p________e________n________.________
ˈhʌɪdʒakɪŋ
![]()
ˈhaɪˌdʒækɪŋ
![]()
Definition
________(________v________e________r________b________)________ ________t________o________ ________t________a________k________e________ ________c________o________n________t________r________o________l________ ________o________f________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________b________y________ ________f________o________r________c________e________
dəˈvoʊt
![]()
dɪˈvəʊt
![]()
Definition
________(________v________e________r________b________)________ ________t________o________ ________g________i________v________e________ ________a________l________l________ ________o________r________ ________a________ ________l________a________r________g________e________ ________p________a________r________t________ ________o________f________ ________o________n________e________'________s________ ________t________i________m________e________ ________o________r________ ________r________e________s________o________u________r________c________e________s________ ________t________o________ ________a________ ________p________a________r________t________i________c________u________l________a________r________ ________a________c________t________i________v________i________t________y________ ________o________r________ ________p________u________r________p________o________s________e________
dɪˈtəːmɪnənt
![]()
dəˈtərmənənt
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________A________ ________f________a________c________t________o________r________ ________o________r________ ________e________l________e________m________e________n________t________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________d________e________t________e________r________m________i________n________e________s________ ________o________r________ ________i________n________f________l________u________e________n________c________e________s________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________.________
ˈaʊtpʊt
![]()
ˈaʊtˌpʊt
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________T________h________e________ ________a________m________o________u________n________t________ ________o________f________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________p________r________o________d________u________c________e________d________ ________o________r________ ________g________e________n________e________r________a________t________e________d________.________
stey on trak
![]()
stey on trak
![]()
Definition
________(________p________h________r________a________s________e________)________ ________T________o________ ________c________o________n________t________i________n________u________e________ ________t________o________ ________m________a________k________e________ ________p________r________o________g________r________e________s________s________ ________t________o________w________a________r________d________s________ ________a________ ________g________o________a________l________ ________o________r________ ________s________t________a________y________ ________f________o________c________u________s________e________d________ ________o________n________ ________a________ ________t________a________s________k________.________
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________t________h________a________t________ ________c________a________u________s________e________s________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________e________l________s________e________ ________t________o________ ________h________a________p________p________e________n________
ruːt
![]()
rut
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________T________h________e________ ________b________a________s________i________c________ ________c________a________u________s________e________,________ ________s________o________u________r________c________e________,________ ________o________r________ ________o________r________i________g________i________n________ ________o________f________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________.________
səˈseɪʃən
![]()
sɪˈseɪʃn
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________t________h________e________ ________a________c________t________ ________o________f________ ________s________t________o________p________p________i________n________g________ ________o________r________ ________e________n________d________i________n________g________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________
pings and dings
pɪŋz ænd dɪŋz
![]()
Definition
(noun) Sounds or noises from electronic equipment
Example
The constant pings and dings from my phone were making it difficult for me to concentrate on my work.
traʃ
![]()
træʃ
![]()
Definition
________(________n________o________u________n________)________ ________w________a________s________t________e________ ________m________a________t________e________r________i________a________l________ ________o________r________ ________u________n________w________a________n________t________e________d________ ________o________r________ ________w________o________r________t________h________l________e________s________s________ ________t________h________i________n________g________s________
ɡɒt rɪd
![]()
ɡɑt rɪd
![]()
Definition
________(________v________e________r________b________ ________p________h________r________a________s________e________)________ ________T________o________ ________e________l________i________m________i________n________a________t________e________ ________o________r________ ________r________e________m________o________v________e________ ________s________o________m________e________t________h________i________n________g________ ________o________r________ ________s________o________m________e________o________n________e________
flip-phone
/ˈflɪpˌfəʊn/
![]()
/ˈflɪpˌfoʊn/
![]()
Definition
(noun) A type of mobile phone that has a hinged cover that can be flipped open and closed.
Example
My grandmother still uses a flip-phone because she finds it easier to use.
urge
əːdʒ
![]()
ərdʒ
![]()
Definition
(noun) A strong desire or impulse to do something.
Example
Despite feeling tired, she couldn't resist the urge to go for a run.
sensations
/sɛnˈseɪʃənz/
![]()
Definition
(noun) Physical or emotional feelings or experiences.
Example
The roller coaster ride gave me a thrilling sensation.
focus
ˈfəʊkəs
![]()
ˈfoʊkəs
![]()
Definition
(noun) A main purpose or interest.
Example
Her focus was on completing the project before the deadline.
distracted
dɪˈstraktɪd
![]()
dəˈstræktəd
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Unable to concentrate or focus on something.
Example
She was too distracted by her phone to pay attention to the lecture.
concentrate
ˈkɒnsɛntreɪt
![]()
ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪt
![]()
Definition
(verb) To direct one's attention or mental effort towards a particular task or object.
Example
She found it difficult to concentrate on her studies with all the noise in the background.
struggling
ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ
![]()
ˈstrəɡ(ə)lɪŋ
![]()
Definition
(adjective) having difficulty or making slow progress in a task or activity
Example
She was struggling to understand the complex math problem.
crest
krɛst
![]()
krɛst
![]()
Definition
(noun) the highest point or peak of something
Example
She reached the crest of the hill.
schedule
/ˈʃɛdjuːl/
![]()
ˈskɛˌdʒul
![]()
Definition
(noun) A plan that lists the times at which certain events or activities are intended to happen.
Example
I have a busy schedule today with back-to-back meetings.
hijacking
ˈhʌɪdʒakɪŋ
![]()
ˈhaɪˌdʒækɪŋ
![]()
Definition
(verb) to take control of something by force
devote
dəˈvoʊt
![]()
dɪˈvəʊt
![]()
Definition
(verb) to give all or a large part of one's time or resources to a particular activity or purpose
Example
She devoted her entire weekend to studying for the exam.
determinant
dɪˈtəːmɪnənt
![]()
dəˈtərmənənt
![]()
Definition
(noun) A factor or element that determines or influences something.
Example
The quality of education is a major determinant of a country's economic development.
output
ˈaʊtpʊt
![]()
ˈaʊtˌpʊt
![]()
Definition
(noun) The amount of something produced or generated.
Example
The output of the factory has increased by 20% this year.
stay on track
stey on trak
![]()
stey on trak
![]()
Definition
(phrase) To continue to make progress towards a goal or stay focused on a task.
Example
Despite the problems, she managed to stay on track and complete the project on time.
triggers
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
Definition
(noun) something that causes something else to happen
Example
The sound of the alarm clock is a trigger for me to wake up.
root
ruːt
![]()
rut
![]()
Definition
(noun) The basic cause, source, or origin of something.
Example
The love of money is the root of all evil.
cessation
səˈseɪʃən
![]()
sɪˈseɪʃn
![]()
Definition
(noun) the act of stopping or ending something
Example
A cessation of animal testing of cosmetics.
pings and dings
pɪŋz ænd dɪŋz
![]()
Definition
(noun) Sounds or noises from electronic equipment
Example
The constant pings and dings from my phone were making it difficult for me to concentrate on my work.
trash
traʃ
![]()
træʃ
![]()
Definition
(noun) waste material or unwanted or worthless things
Example
He threw the empty cans into the trash.
got rid
ɡɒt rɪd
![]()
ɡɑt rɪd
![]()
Definition
(verb phrase) To eliminate or remove something or someone
Example
She got rid of all the old clothes in her closet.
flip-phone
/ˈflɪpˌfəʊn/
![]()
/ˈflɪpˌfoʊn/
![]()
Definition
(noun) A type of mobile phone that has a hinged cover that can be flipped open and closed.
Example
My grandmother still uses a flip-phone because she finds it easier to use.
urge
əːdʒ
![]()
ərdʒ
![]()
Definition
(noun) A strong desire or impulse to do something.
Example
Despite feeling tired, she couldn't resist the urge to go for a run.
sensations
/sɛnˈseɪʃənz/
![]()
Definition
(noun) Physical or emotional feelings or experiences.
Example
The roller coaster ride gave me a thrilling sensation.
focus
ˈfəʊkəs
![]()
ˈfoʊkəs
![]()
Definition
(noun) A main purpose or interest.
Example
Her focus was on completing the project before the deadline.
distracted
dɪˈstraktɪd
![]()
dəˈstræktəd
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Unable to concentrate or focus on something.
Example
She was too distracted by her phone to pay attention to the lecture.
concentrate
ˈkɒnsɛntreɪt
![]()
ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪt
![]()
Definition
(verb) To direct one's attention or mental effort towards a particular task or object.
Example
She found it difficult to concentrate on her studies with all the noise in the background.
struggling
ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ
![]()
ˈstrəɡ(ə)lɪŋ
![]()
Definition
(adjective) having difficulty or making slow progress in a task or activity
Example
She was struggling to understand the complex math problem.
crest
krɛst
![]()
krɛst
![]()
Definition
(noun) the highest point or peak of something
Example
She reached the crest of the hill.
schedule
/ˈʃɛdjuːl/
![]()
ˈskɛˌdʒul
![]()
Definition
(noun) A plan that lists the times at which certain events or activities are intended to happen.
Example
I have a busy schedule today with back-to-back meetings.
hijacking
ˈhʌɪdʒakɪŋ
![]()
ˈhaɪˌdʒækɪŋ
![]()
Definition
(verb) to take control of something by force
devote
dəˈvoʊt
![]()
dɪˈvəʊt
![]()
Definition
(verb) to give all or a large part of one's time or resources to a particular activity or purpose
Example
She devoted her entire weekend to studying for the exam.
determinant
dɪˈtəːmɪnənt
![]()
dəˈtərmənənt
![]()
Definition
(noun) A factor or element that determines or influences something.
Example
The quality of education is a major determinant of a country's economic development.
output
ˈaʊtpʊt
![]()
ˈaʊtˌpʊt
![]()
Definition
(noun) The amount of something produced or generated.
Example
The output of the factory has increased by 20% this year.
stay on track
stey on trak
![]()
stey on trak
![]()
Definition
(phrase) To continue to make progress towards a goal or stay focused on a task.
Example
Despite the problems, she managed to stay on track and complete the project on time.
triggers
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
Definition
(noun) something that causes something else to happen
Example
The sound of the alarm clock is a trigger for me to wake up.
root
ruːt
![]()
rut
![]()
Definition
(noun) The basic cause, source, or origin of something.
Example
The love of money is the root of all evil.
cessation
səˈseɪʃən
![]()
sɪˈseɪʃn
![]()
Definition
(noun) the act of stopping or ending something
Example
A cessation of animal testing of cosmetics.
pings and dings
pɪŋz ænd dɪŋz
![]()
Definition
(noun) Sounds or noises from electronic equipment
Example
The constant pings and dings from my phone were making it difficult for me to concentrate on my work.
trash
traʃ
![]()
træʃ
![]()
Definition
(noun) waste material or unwanted or worthless things
Example
He threw the empty cans into the trash.
got rid
ɡɒt rɪd
![]()
ɡɑt rɪd
![]()
Definition
(verb phrase) To eliminate or remove something or someone
Example
She got rid of all the old clothes in her closet.
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Review vocabulary
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Reviewing these words will help you complete the gaps correctly.
triggers
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
ˈtrɪɡərz
![]()
Definition
(noun) something that causes something else to happen
Example
The sound of the alarm clock is a trigger for me to wake up.
devote
dəˈvoʊt
![]()
dɪˈvəʊt
![]()
Definition
(verb) to give all or a large part of one's time or resources to a particular activity or purpose
Example
She devoted her entire weekend to studying for the exam.
sensations
/sɛnˈseɪʃənz/
![]()
Definition
(noun) Physical or emotional feelings or experiences.
Example
The roller coaster ride gave me a thrilling sensation.
stay on track
stey on trak
![]()
stey on trak
![]()
Definition
(phrase) To continue to make progress towards a goal or stay focused on a task.
Example
Despite the problems, she managed to stay on track and complete the project on time.
trash
traʃ
![]()
træʃ
![]()
Definition
(noun) waste material or unwanted or worthless things
Example
He threw the empty cans into the trash.
cessation
səˈseɪʃən
![]()
sɪˈseɪʃn
![]()
Definition
(noun) the act of stopping or ending something
Example
A cessation of animal testing of cosmetics.
determinant
dɪˈtəːmɪnənt
![]()
dəˈtərmənənt
![]()
Definition
(noun) A factor or element that determines or influences something.
Example
The quality of education is a major determinant of a country's economic development.
hijacking
ˈhʌɪdʒakɪŋ
![]()
ˈhaɪˌdʒækɪŋ
![]()
Definition
(verb) to take control of something by force
schedule
/ˈʃɛdjuːl/
![]()
ˈskɛˌdʒul
![]()
Definition
(noun) A plan that lists the times at which certain events or activities are intended to happen.
Example
I have a busy schedule today with back-to-back meetings.
urge
əːdʒ
![]()
ərdʒ
![]()
Definition
(noun) A strong desire or impulse to do something.
Example
Despite feeling tired, she couldn't resist the urge to go for a run.
focus
ˈfəʊkəs
![]()
ˈfoʊkəs
![]()
Definition
(noun) A main purpose or interest.
Example
Her focus was on completing the project before the deadline.
distracted
dɪˈstraktɪd
![]()
dəˈstræktəd
![]()
Definition
(adjective) Unable to concentrate or focus on something.
Example
She was too distracted by her phone to pay attention to the lecture.
crest
krɛst
![]()
krɛst
![]()
Definition
(noun) the highest point or peak of something
Example
She reached the crest of the hill.
root
ruːt
![]()
rut
![]()
Definition
(noun) The basic cause, source, or origin of something.
Example
The love of money is the root of all evil.
concentrate
ˈkɒnsɛntreɪt
![]()
ˈkɑnsənˌtreɪt
![]()
Definition
(verb) To direct one's attention or mental effort towards a particular task or object.
Example
She found it difficult to concentrate on her studies with all the noise in the background.
struggling
ˈstrʌɡlɪŋ
![]()
ˈstrəɡ(ə)lɪŋ
![]()
Definition
(adjective) having difficulty or making slow progress in a task or activity
Example
She was struggling to understand the complex math problem.
output
ˈaʊtpʊt
![]()
ˈaʊtˌpʊt
![]()
Definition
(noun) The amount of something produced or generated.
Example
The output of the factory has increased by 20% this year.
got rid
ɡɒt rɪd
![]()
ɡɑt rɪd
![]()
Definition
(verb phrase) To eliminate or remove something or someone
Example
She got rid of all the old clothes in her closet.
Review complete!
Now watch the video and complete the gaps with the correct word.