![]() Have you ever noticed how many times during a day you reach for your phone? It probably happens more than you think. It is a reflex that people develop over time. When an activity is repeated it is installed like a program that runs automatically. Throughout the remainder of the day, I found myself reaching for a device that did not work. Before that day I was unaware of how often I reach for my phone. I realized that through repetition, I programmed my brain for distraction. Even in moments when there was no valid reason to look at my phone, I reached for it anyway. The digital world is designed to be addictive. Ten-minute breaks can turn into one hour without you realizing it. Knowledge workers have to confront the dangers of distraction on the internet every day. Fortunately, there are some ways to win the battle and maintain your focus with tools that allow you to block websites or even the entire internet. Blocked websites cannot tap you on the shoulder and call your attention away from an important project. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s process for how it re-wires itself. In other words, your thoughts and behavior can actually re-shape your mind. Some of the changes are good while others may have a negative impact on your productivity. For example, needlessly checking your phone or email inbox throughout the day can break your focus and limit your productivity. Distractions Kill ProductivityĪnytime your mind wanders away from the real goal, it requires a lot of brainpower to fight the distraction and return to focus mode. The problem with working in a hyper-connected world is that your brain involuntarily responds to stimuli. Every time you receive a notification for a text message, email, or social media activity, your brain responds automatically to process the new information. There is a trigger (notification) and a response (check email). If it happens enough, your brain is conditioned for those behaviors. The Cost of Distractionsĭo the math on distractions. If you waste 10-15 minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon, you can easily lose 2 hours per week (probably more). In one month the wasted time adds up to an entire workday that is lost on unproductive distractions. Studies show that it can take up to 23 minutes to regain your focus after visiting a distracting website. The internet captures your attention, then scatters the focus across an almost infinite number of inputs. You might be writing a blog post, listening to Spotify, surfing the internet across multiple open tabs, and responding to messages in Slack - all at the same time.Ĭertain websites are designed to capture your attention by endless distractions. Watching one YouTube video can lead to watching ten YouTube videos. Watching one episode on Netflix leads to binge-watching entire seasons. Opening your email can take your mind in multiple directions unrelated to the work you are supposed to be doing at the moment. Web Content In Businessīusiness is driven by the internet. Commerce and banking happen electronically.Ĭommunication happens through email, messenger, Slack, and Zoom. Phones and tablets are common tools for getting work done. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |