# How To Stay Focused, Beat Distraction, and Get Things Done | Nir Eyal Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bigdeal-6840665/how-to-stay-focused-beat-distraction-and-get-things-done-nir-eyal Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/bigdeal-6840665/how-to-stay-focused-beat-distraction-and-get-things-done-nir-eyal.md Podcast: [BigDeal](https://stenobird.com/podcast/bigdeal-6840665) Published: 2026-03-19T08:30:00+00:00 Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/track/33A3GE/pdrl.fm/e4c771/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/RAHRN8376599753.mp3 Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/track/33A3GE/pdrl.fm/e4c771/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/RAHRN8376599753.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bigdeal-6840665/episodes/how-to-stay-focused-beat-distraction-and-get-things-done-nir-eyal Duration seconds: 4353 ## Resource What if the things holding you back aren’t real? Your brain processes 11 million bits of information per second, but you only consciously attend to 50. That tiny keyhole of attention shapes your entire reality — and most people never realize they're looking through the wrong lens. Nir Eyal has spent years researching how beliefs shape behavior, attention, and outcomes. He's the bestselling author of Hooked, Indistractable, and now Beyond Belief. In this conversation, he breaks down the neuroscience of perception, why your limiting beliefs are quietly destroying your potential, and how to rewire your brain to see opportunities others miss. You'll learn: How a man had surgery with zero anesthesia using only his mind Why pain and suffering are separate — and how to disconnect them The 10-minute rule that makes distraction powerless Why willpower only depletes if you believe it does How beliefs about aging at 30 predict whether you live 7.5 years longer The turnaround technique that stops limiting beliefs cold If you've ever felt stuck or convinced something won't work — this episode will change how you see yourself. Because the only thing standing between you and what you want is a belief you haven't questioned yet. Check out Nir Eyal's new book "Beyond Belief" here: https://www.nirandfar.com/beyond-belief/ Build your newsletter, grow your audience, and start monetizing — all in one place. Head https://beehiiv.link/06f6y3 and use CODIE30 for 30% off your first 3 months ___________ 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:07 You Don't See Reality: The Optical Illusion That Proves It 00:03:40 The Rat Study: How Beliefs Unlock 240X More Persistence 00:05:40 Attention, Anticipation, and Agency: The Three Powers of Belief 00:07:11 Hypnosedation: Surgery Without Anesthesia Through Mind Powe… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bigdeal-6840665/episodes/how-to-stay-focused-beat-distraction-and-get-things-done-nir-eyal/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/bigdeal-6840665/how-to-stay-focused-beat-distraction-and-get-things-done-nir-eyal.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.