Hooked On Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price

Zecheus writes "In the New York Times: 'Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls, and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information.'"

Comments

Basically

[phantomfive]

If you want to be good at multi-tasking, practice multi-tasking.
If you want to be good at focusing, practice focusing.
If you want to be good at both, practice both.

There is no false dichotomy that you can only be good at one or the other, and neither one comes naturally. By nature we are only good at focusing on whatever attracts us emotionally in the moment, focusing on boring things, or multi-tasking on various boring things both take practice. So do what you want and stop worrying.

step #1, ignore the phone when it rings

[petes_PoV]

We've conditioned ourselves to stop doing almost everything in order to answer a phonecall. Even if we have no idea who's calling, we are prepared to interrupt most activities and (unforgivably) most people in order to speak to a little voice who almost certainly only called because they want something.

I say, let them wait. If it's important they can leave a message - although there's nothing that a normal person can tell us that can't bear being delayed for an hour or two. If they are prepared to do some work themselves, they can TEXT you, instead.

Re:step #1, ignore the phone when it rings

[DeadDecoy]

Ya, I have similar habits, which is funny because I'm considered the 'tech' guy in my family. I have no cable, leave my landline unplugged (to stop annoying solicitors), and leave my cell at home on silent. Email is about as close as I get to 'instant messaging' nowadays. And this helps me focus on whatever tasks need my immediate attention (like commenting on slashdot :D).
My family (parents and siblings), interestingly enough, finds this annoying because they want instant access. I think because I spend more time around computers than them, I'm a bit disenchanted as to the utility, or life-quality improvements yet-another-device will add to my life.

I agree

[pcraven]

I used to be a good programmer until I got into management. The flood of information, calls, and e-mails that came in seriously did a number on my brain. It felt like it was being remapped.

I've gotten out of that field, but I still feel the effects from it. Now I've taken to learning Russian. I think I enjoy it because of the concentration required.

No time to read this? Read this.

[PatPending]

This article is immensely helpful (print link with pop-up):

No time to read this? Read this.

Of the three techniques mentioned, the "Pomodoro Technique" works best for me:

I start each day by making a log of things to do, then tackle each in 25-minute intervals called Pomodoros. When a Pomodoro is over, I mark an X on the log next to the item I am working on, then take a refreshing 3- to 5-minute break. Nothing must be allowed to interrupt a Pomodoro. If co-workers barge in, Mr. Cirillo advises trying to defer the conversation.