Noise

Chapter 21Personalizing Your Pre-sets

Just as you program your radio to tune into your favorite stations or have preprogrammed playlists, you should also have some go-to habits that get you to dial into what matters most and tune out what’s basically useless. These will help you to avoid searching aimlessly for more static.

Each of these pre-sets is meant to improve your AM (awareness management) and/or FM (focus management) skills. Consider trying a few from time to time to improve your noise abatement abilities.

• Pre-set 1: Say no on the go
  • Premise: Nobody plans to get distracted, interrupted, or derailed. It happens as unexpectedly as life takes its twists and turns. We need to be ready at a moment’s notice to stay on course.
  • Practice: While you are commuting, pick one thought and stick to it. Whether you’re driving or waiting to board an airplane or in line at the grocery store, avoid anything that might catch your eye or entice your attention, including checking your phone. That might mean not looking at that accident on the side of the road that causes a gaper’s delay, not looking at a text alert, or not falling prey to the candy and magazine offerings that are strategically placed at the checkout line. Stick to one thought.
  • Promise: Builds up your ability to say no to unexpected distractions and stay single-minded.
• Pre-set 2: Have a headline
  • Premise: When you communicate in a meeting, a speech, or an important conversation, it is easy to lose people’s interest in ...