The human brain is naturally designed to be distracted. It is very easy to establish this fact. Biologically, we are all designed with five major senses and their organs ― eyes (sight), ears (hearing), tongue (tasting), nose (smell) and skin (touch/feel).
For any given time, one of these organs dominates our senses even though others are always at alert.
The dominance of one of these organs at a particular time to be able to interpret a situation is made possible through a mechanism scientists call “selective attention”.
Technology through invention and innovation has made our world easier. The way our senses receive signals (such as smell, touch, and tasting) has also significantly improved.
One of the places we ought to be the least distracted is at our workplace. But that is not the case in reality as we can all testify to how much we get distracted when we are expected to be productive at our work stations.
How many people get distracted at work?
In a workplace survey published by Udemy in 2018, 70% of workers (7 out of 10) admitted they feel distracted at work. Another 16%, admitted they always almost feel distracted.
The two major distractions at work are:
· Talkative: talking with co-workers
· Office noise: stemming from office activities and talking
Effects of distraction on workplace productivity?
More than half of the respondents to the Udemy survey questions stated they “aren’t performing as well as they should”, and are therefore “significantly less productive”.
The effect of being less productive is a two-way thing.
Any employee not delivering up to the employer’s yardstick stands a chance of losing his/her job. On the other hand, a non-productive employee is nothing but a liability to the employer.
How to minimize workplace distraction?
One of the most distracting technology ever invented is the smartphone. As much as it makes communication easier, it also makes communication a prime distracting factor.
Phone ringing, screen light up, and chat notification tend to get our attention during work hours. They are usually not easy to ignore!
A research conducted by Veronica Galvan team revealed that is easier to break-out of a conversation at work than a personal conversation on a smartphone (such as chatting).
But, the most interesting thing about technology is that it always offers a solution to any problem it may cause.
There are technology products you may use to reduce distraction at work.
Since distractions directly interact with your senses which invariably relay information to the mind, it is important to always use anti-distractive tech products that take into consideration, how it affects your sense organs.
Phone alarm is a distraction on its own, but gentle light alerting you of being distracted sounds better.
These lights are referred to as Human Centered Lighting (HCL). They are designed to adjust to the environment and time of the day.
Certain lights may make you feel sleepy while another may make you alert. This is part of the things the HCL technology takes into consideration.
There are a handful of anti-distraction technology products using the HCL concept.
You may try products like Timeqube which alerts you on different occasions using the power of light. A technology like this will not distract others in the process of helping you remain focused.
For more tips on leading a mindful business head to: https://timeqube.com/posts/
