Most of us have been proud multitaskers at one point in our lives. The ability to do a few things at the same time can seem like a necessary skill, both at work and at home. We talk on the phone while driving, send texts when we’re talking with someone in person, and reply to emails while on conference calls. It seems like we’re getting even more done, but research has shown that the opposite is true. It turns out that multitaskers don’t actually do multiple things at once—they switch back and forth between tasks instead of focusing on one thing at a time. This not only leads to lower overall productivity and accuracy, but a decreased ability to weed out relevant from irrelevant information.1 In a nutshell, this means that multitaskers take more time to do things and have less to show for it.
Unfortunately, multitasking is becoming harder and harder to avoid. Mobile phone notifications, endless flashing emails on your computer screen, alerts on your watch, and your phone ringing all create distractions! Even if you just momentarily take your attention away from what you are doing, you can lose your train of thought. (And even if it’s a short train, it takes more energy to bring yourself back to what you were doing than if your focus hadn’t been derailed.) That’s why your phone is probably hijacking your concentration.
It truly doesn’t take much to lose concentration. But since we are with our devices most of the time, and now even wearing them, distraction has become the new normal. We may no longer notice when we are losing productivity. With electronics and 24/7 availability, it is admittedly difficult to get away from all the potential distractions and stay focused. But it’s worth it. By eliminating distractions, we can be fully present with people and enjoy life in the moment.
Luckily, you can create small changes in your habits to help you stay focused. By setting up “electronic free” times, you can allow yourself the luxury of not worrying about the outside world for a brief time each day. My friend stopped wearing her Apple Watch to play tennis because it would vibrate suddenly and make her miss shots. Without the watch, she’s a better player and enjoys herself more. I started putting my watch on airplane mode in my yoga classes, and my practice has gotten better without the distractions. Try electronic free times for yourself! You may be surprised at how productive you are, and how the people in your life respond when you pay full attention to them.
Mindfulness Exercise:
While eating your next meal, leave your phone out of reach and sight. Take a few moments to be thankful for the food you have. Make eye contact with any guests you may be dining with. Maybe even choose a silent meal, eating slowly and savoring each bite. You might even notice your stress level and digestion improve.
Source: http://news.stanford.edu/2009/08/24/multitask-research-study-082409/
