Starting to remove distractions
The web is a wonderful tool and also it can be your worse enemy. I went over to my friends Ray and Sam’s tonight for a visit and we got on the topic of Facebook. I know at one time I was a huge fan of Facebook however it started to become a major distraction in my life, so I have removed myself from Facebook. That is distraction number one in my life gone. Now I will keep other social media working for me like LinkedIN.
I realize that I have a number of distractions in my life that I need to remove so I can focus. Last week was the pinnacle to how my lack of focus hurts me and those around me. My good friend Brad from Duluth send this email to me this week, really nails it home on how something like email can even be a major distraction.
In 2005, a psychiatrist at King’s College in London administered IQ tests to three groups: the first did nothing but perform the IQ test, the second was distracted by e-mail and ringing phones, and the third was stoned on marijuana. Not surprisingly, the first group did better than the other two by an average of 10 points. The e-mailers, though, did worse than the intoxicated people by an average of 6 points. The e-mailing group came in last.
What does that make you think of this statistic? In a recent survey of 320 professionals, 17% reported they check e-mail a few times per hour and 68% check e-mail more or less continually. They are constantly breaking their focus on the primary task at hand.
With email, I never connect to my Exchange Server, I only connect when I want to, still I connect several times a day. I really like the approach that Tim Ferris has in the “4-Hour Workweek“, however Microsoft Exchange 2007 is having some challenges with Out of Office replies, so I have trouble with this one.
It is important to have focus and I am realizing this. As I start to remove the distraction and practice my own discipline around ensuring that when I am engaged with work through IT Matters or personal stuff with my family that I am there with them.
I will need help, so if you want to help me out…just email me.
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Thanks for this Stuart - I have to constantly remind myself to check my email once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
I highly recommend that people who are being distracted by mail also shut off the “new mail” alerts and sounds on their PC software. It’s hard not to check your mail when it is drawing your attention.
David West
My Blog: http://davidawest.com