Attention Deficit Disorder a.k.a. Multitasking

The Disease
Multitasking with electronic media, the type we often do at work, makes us more stupid than smoking pot or losing a night’s sleep. It does not simply come at the mental price of lost productivity, but it actively damages our brains. Furthermore, multitasking in social settings is indicative of low emotional intelligence (EQ), a potent predictor of success.

The Alternative
Having put the myth of multitasking to rest, the alternative is total undivided attention a.k.a. mindfulness at work. As, William James, the great 19-century psychologist and attention expert wrote:
“The faculty of voluntarily bringing back a wandering attention, over and over again, is the very root of judgment, character, and will.”

The Treatment
As a big believer in simplicity, I believe that a handful of simple interventions will yield major results in curing multitasking.

• Single device - try to engage only with one piece of technology at a time - resist opening your laptop while watching TV or sending a message from your phone during a conference call.
• No e-mail interruptions - if your job permits, try to only check e-mail at set times in the day to minimize distractions.
• No mobile phones in meetings - try to be fully present during meetings - do not just attend - participate; only use devices if you are taking notes or capturing action points.
• Work in sprints - try to deliberately set times for uninterrupted work on a single task - start small - 15-20 minutes and extend as your ability to focus develops.
• No multiple tabs - try to only work with one internet window if you are browsing and see how this affects your productivity.

The Healthy State
Above all, I invite you to at least try one of these and see for yourselves what is the impact. I am confident that as soon as you begin to eliminate multitasking from your daily life at work you will discover:

• You can accomplish more in the same amount of time.
• You can feel more relaxed under similar circumstances.
• You can relate more naturally to your colleagues.
• You can feel less stressed and tired at the end of the day or week.
• You become more capable of noticing important things and opportunities.

I invite you to realize that all these benefits are within your grasp, to cite William James again - steady attention is the default condition of a mature mind.
Think of it as taking a backward step - returning to what is totally natural to you - but perhaps veiled because of conditioning and prevailing norms.
Among the good quotes about attention, I think one goes to the heart of the matter...

"Life is short. Pay attention or you'll miss it." Anonymous