There is a good case for the argument that the improvements in technology, especially information technology, has made our lives more difficult. We are now constantly connected to others via our mobile devices, and constant streams of information from the internet can be overwhelming. One of the consequences of the abundance of easily accessible information is the potential to distract us from focusing on high priority tasks. The previous post about the myth of multitasking discusses the inefficiency of switching between tasks.
Find a Zen-like place to work
Sometimes I struggle to focus when working from home because there are many distractions. I will notice clutter that I should organize or be tempted to watch a show I recorded on DVR. I have found it helpful to escape these distractions by finding a place where I can better focus on the task at hand. For me this is a Starbucks, for others it could be the library, or the park.
Lock away your mobile device
Many of us are addicted to our mobile devices. For some it is an extension of our bodies and we can feel incomplete without it. To avoid being tempted to check your mobile for text messages, the Twitter stream, or being interrupted by calls, put your mobile device out of reach. This could be in the other room or in your coworkers desk. Anything that makes it more difficult to habitually check your phone should help.
Let go of the need to know everything
Former Apple and Microsoft executive Linda Stone wrote this over at BusinessWeek:
In the case of continuous partial attention, we’re motivated by a desire not to miss anything. There’s a kind of vigilance that is not characteristic of multi-tasking. With CPA, we feel most alive when we’re connected, plugged in and in the know. We constantly scan for opportunities – activities or people – in any given moment. With every opportunity we ask, “What can I gain here?”
The fear of missing things is often overblown. The book The 4 Hour Work Week suggests that you should completely avoid reading news and rather ask others if anything interesting is going on. It is good to revisit the consequences of not reading every blog post in your RSS reader or reading every Tweet from the people you are following. You will see that a lot of the information that you consume on a daily basis is insignificant and you would be just fine if you ignored most of it.
Photo by totalaldo