As time goes by, we are constantly presented with different types of distractions, such as a new social media platform, a new iPhone, or that new Netflix show that everyone watches and you just “MUST WATCH” and the list goes on. These factors can make it very difficult for some to stay focused on trying to be a productive member of society. While we can't completely shut out everything going on around us, there are some steps we can take to prevent it from getting the better of us. The first step towards a more productive life is to write a list of everything you want to accomplish in a certain period of time. It may be helpful to write these goals in order of urgency to complete the task. The most important objectives will be at the top of the list. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThose that you could solve by doing them another day, of course, will go to the bottom of the list. By doing this, you are creating an image. Human beings, by nature, are visual creatures. This negates all that time spent wondering, “What should I start with?” When you have a plan, it's easier to take 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 horrible when we're trying to get things done. When you have a million things to do and you find yourself scrolling through Instagram looking at Stacy's "Wonderful Summer Vacation" photos, you're wasting time that you should be spending achieving your goals on the list you wrote down earlier. It's best to turn off your phone until you're done. Close it if necessary. Stacy's post won't disappear, you can come back and look at the photos later. And you might actually enjoy scrolling through social media more, knowing that you have everything you need to do it sooner. After all, we should always put ourselves first. The measures 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 needs to be shifted to a state where we realize that looking at social media, watching useless videos on Facebook or YouTube will never get us where we need to be. Understanding this will free your addiction to these social media platforms. I believe much of our obsession with social media stems from the fear of losing everything that is uploaded to it. Why not be afraid of missing out on the opportunity to achieve 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 in itself is our enemy. I'm simply stating that social media also has a place on your list and shouldn't be at the top. Think of it as a reward, even though when you're done you may feel like you deserve better.