Distractions are everywhere

I came into the new year like many others: sleeping. I set goals but couldn’t stick to them. The problem? An inability to sustain deep work. Instead, I experienced bursts of productivity followed by fields of laziness. Picture this: working 14-hour days for 3 weeks, coding a project I was deeply passionate about. After completion, I was exhausted and fell ill. I decided to take a break. Now, the sickness is gone, but the break has been abused and extended far beyond its purpose.

The Problem

The real world is an efficient market, and people are largely reactive, predictable creatures. If you disagree, you probably think you’re uniquely above these patterns. Some rare individuals are. I am not—yet. I’ve never been big on social media, and I continue to distance myself from it. Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat… what are they really doing for you? We become predictable creatures, absorbing memes and talking endlessly instead of spending each moment meaningfully. People seek these distractions for the same reason they avoid exciting projects: fear of starting, fear of taking a leap. We reach for our phones because it seems like the easiest way to move from one point in time to another. It’s time travel of the worst kind. Spending 40 minutes watching reels transports you 40 minutes into the future—with nothing to show for it.

You are the user

When you indulge in these distractions, you’re not using technology—you’re being used by it. You either don’t care or you do. I can’t stop you. You can’t even stop yourself. You’re addicted. I’m somewhat addicted too.

How I am moving forward

I’ve deleted every app on my phone that doesn’t provide actual utility. No games. No media or social platforms beyond essential communication tools like Discord—and even that needs to be limited or eliminated. At minimum, confining these apps to non-mobile devices probably strikes the optimal balance. Cutting anything run by Mark Zuckerberg, Snapchat, or any similar social platforms isn’t just healthy—it’s simply smart. Just stop for a week and see how it feels.

Programmers


int avoid() {
    std::cout << "Avoid!" << std::endl;
}

for (int i = 0; i < timeAlive; i++) {
    if (used_for_profit) {
        avoid()
    } else {
        continue
    }
}

Mind Mapping

2025 Achievements

  • built a P2P smart contract platform
  • purchased a new vehicle … I can do more.

2025 Goals - 22

  • build a restaurant management system
  • build a event ticketing system for a small town near me
    • learn react and expand web stack knowledge
  • start runnning again ~ best 3 mile time in High School was 17:00
  • 5 figure emergency fund
  • eat better ~ don’t work through meals
  • quit unfullfilling tasks and engage in deep work

3 Years From Now - 25

  • 6 figure investment portfolio
  • higher 5 figure savings or home owner
  • car paid off

5 Years From Now - 27

  • start a small software business

Philosophy

A clarification on happiness: Many people equate money with happiness, or career success with high salaries. These correlations are flawed. Happiness derived solely from money is temporary and unstable. Money is merely a tool, like a screwdriver or hammer. It won’t create happiness, but it does ease navigation through our capitalistic world. Its true value lies in providing freedom from financial worry, allowing you to spend time on what truly matters—meaningful connections with others and pursuing purpose-driven work.