Today's Focus: Managing Focus in a Distracted Age

As a digital society we face an interesting paradox: While many of the tools we use - Slack, Teams, Zoom and many more - are designed to streamline our work and help us be more productive, they often become sources of distraction and stress. Digital notifications fragment our attention, making it challenging to stay focused and complete tasks efficiently.

Research increasingly shows that our brains are not wired to multitask effectively. Shifting frequently between tasks can lead to decreased productivity, increased mental fatigue and stress. Scientists like Gloria Mark have also shown that it can take us up to 23 minutes to refocus after we have been interrupted by a digital notification. Imagine all the time lost that could be spent in a more meaningful way or doing something that brings you joy.

By implementing mindful practices and leveraging technology wisely, we can create a work environment that fosters concentration and efficiency and creates times that we can spend doing the things we love.

Today’s Activity: Creating an environment for focus 

  • Think about the tasks you have to accomplish today/make a to-do list. How could you organise your day so that you can…

    • Take regular breaks

    • Minimise task switching and multitasking

    • Reduce distractions

    • Have more time for deep focus

  • Take a look at your calendar and block times for more “quiet time” (phone-free, meeting-free focus time) this week.

Samantha’s example: Samantha, a project manager, often found herself overwhelmed with tasks, leading to reduced productivity and increased stress. She started using time blocking and allocated specific hours of her workday to different projects and tasks. Mornings were reserved for creative work and strategic planning, while afternoons were dedicated to meetings and responding to emails. This approach helped Samantha to focus better on the task at hand without being distracted by other pending tasks. Her productivity increased, and she felt more in control of her workload.

Listen to our Podcast with “Attention Span” Author Gloria Mark to learn more about managing your cognitive energy and focus here: 

Day 8

Welcome to

More ways to boost productivity and wellbeing in a distracted age. 

  • Reflect
    How do your digital habits currently impact your work productivity and focus? How often do you find yourself needing a break and not taking it?

  • Time Blocking
    Allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks or types of work. This helps in focusing on one task at a time and reduces the temptation to multitask.

  • Mindful meetings
    In a hybrid world, Zoom fatigue is real. Incorporating regular breaks away from your screens is essential to protect your wellbeing and productivity.

  • Email-Sundown
    In a world that is constantly on, it isn’t always easy to switch off. Set yourself a time in the evening when you stop checking emails and refrain from checking emails first thing in the morning. What difference do you notice in the way you start and end your day?

Remember:

  • If used wisely and intentionally, digital tools can be a great asset, not a liability.

    See you on Day 9!