CuppaGemma

We are becoming accustomed working with interruptions as part and parcel of our schedules.

Have you ever been on the phone with one person, only to quietly be checking email while they speak? Or worse yet that clacketa clacketa sound of the keyboard like background music, except neither of you are taking Word steno on the conversation? And, “Could you just get to this, I know you are in the middle of that but these four things here kind of need your attention before ten.”  Then we pride ourselves on our ability to do the equivalent of drive stick, apply makeup, change music stations  and answer a phone call all at the same time.

The New York Times posted Fighting a War Against Distraction on Sunday. The piece notes “the average knowledge worker switches tasks every three minutes.”   It further notes that interruptions and requisite recovery time consume 28 percent of the day.

These interruptions have become so pervasive that some companies are taking action against it all. Email black out dates/times at set intervals, un-wired rooms and the like.  Because it appears as though we realize when you want to do something well, you need to give it your undivided attention.