In 1971, psychologist Herbert A. Simon emphasized that a wealth of information means a dearth of something else: attention. What was true decades ago is still true today and its hurting productivity in the workplace, according to a Stanford psychology expert.
Increased use of electronic devices in the workplace is taking workers’ attention and focus away from their duties as they scramble to follow what others are doing elsewhere through social media and messaging apps.
“Not being distractable is the single most important skill for the 21st century,” said Nir Eyal, a graduate and instructor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, in a piece published by CNBC.
“In the age of increased automation, the most sought-after jobs are those that require creative problem-solving, novel solutions and the kind of human ingenuity that comes from focusing deeply on the task at hand,” according to Eyal.
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Some of the methods Eyal suggests to increase attention and focus include reducing the total amount of time spent keeping up with emails. Spend less time in group-chat apps such as WhatsApp and Basecamp, have an agenda for meetings and keep them short.
When it comes to phone use, Eyal suggests getting rid of apps you don’t use. Deleting popular apps such as YouTube, Facebook or Twitter could also help you be less distracted and more focused.
Rearranging apps and changing notification settings to receive fewer notifications could also lead to better concentration.
