Over time, we are constantly faced with different types of distractions, like a new social media platform, a new iPhone, or that new Netflix show everyone is watching and that you have just seen. “MUST WATCH” and the list goes on. These factors can make it very difficult for some to stay focused as they attempt to be a productive member of society. While we can't completely ignore everything that's going on around us, there are steps we can take to ensure it doesn't get the better of us. The first step toward living a more productive life is to write a list of everything you want to accomplish in a certain amount of time. It may be helpful to write these goals down in order of urgency to accomplish the task. The most important goals will be at the top of the list. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Those that you could possibly get away with doing another day will naturally be at the bottom of the list. By doing this, you create a visual. Humans, by nature, are visual creatures. It negates all that time spent wondering, “Where should I start?” When you have a plan, it's easier to take the initiative. Our phones are great for keeping us in touch with family members or entertaining us with music, videos, social media, and games, but they can be terrible when we're trying to get things done. When you have a million things to do and find yourself scrolling through Instagram looking at photos of Stacy's "Wonderful Summer Vacation," you're wasting time that should be spent accomplishing your goals on the list you have written earlier. It's best to turn off the phone until you're done. Lock it if necessary. Stacy's post won't disappear, you can come back to the photos later. And you might enjoy browsing social media more, knowing you have everything you need to get started. After all, we should always put ourselves first. The steps mentioned above are important when trying to be more productive, but nothing is more crucial than having the right mindset. Anything is possible if you have the right mindset to complete the task at hand. In this case, our mindset must evolve to understand that watching social media, watching useless videos on Facebook or YouTube will never take us to where we need to be. By realizing this, we will free ourselves from dependence on these social media platforms. I believe most of our obsession with social media comes from the fear of missing out on everything uploaded to it. Why not be afraid of missing the opportunity to implement your goals and be the most productive person you can be. By following these steps and changing your mindset, you too can become a goal-achieving machine. I'm not saying that social media itself is our enemy. I'm just saying that social media has a place on your list too and it shouldn't be at the top. Think of it as a reward, although once you're done you might think you deserve something better..