3 types of weapons of mass distraction

What is a weapon of mass distraction?

In recent years, the term "weapon of mass distraction" has become very popular. The term is a translation of "weapon of mass distraction". Although it seems to have been used for the first time in the late 1930s, it was brought to light in 1997 by a film by Stephen Surjik, who used it as the title of his work. 

A few years later, in 2003, the term was used again by James Corrigan in an article for the London Independent newspaper . He says: "At least for a few hours today, attention will turn away from George W Bush as America's eyes move from Baghdad to San Diego. Perhaps the Super Bowl will be the weapon of mass distraction Bush has been hoping for."

Weapons of mass distraction in the workplace

According to a survey conducted by training website Udemy, 3 out of 4 people admit that they are sometimes distracted during working hours. And the trend is only growing with the new generations. According to the same survey, 54% of participants said that distractions have a negative impact on their work.

In fact, these workplace nuisances cost hundreds of billions of dollars every year. An article in Business News Daily puts the cost at $650 billion for US companies. 

Between emails, phone calls, text messages and other messaging, these are all incessant solicitations that require processing and response. An employee is interrupted by a distraction every 3 to 6 minutes.

Distractions cost time, productivity and above all affect the well-being of employees.

Related content: Hyperconnected, the brain at risk

Three types of weapons of mass distraction 

Distractions do not mix well with a healthy work dynamic. They can be classified into 3 categories: 

1 - personal distractions

2 - distractions from other people

3 - digital distractions

1 - Personal distractions

They can be many and varied. Lack of sleep, stress, an uncomfortable work position or long to-do lists are all distractions that prevent us from feeling our best. 

Some details can weigh heavily on our daily tasks and neglecting them would be a big mistake. 

Here are some tips to make your life more enjoyable:

• Take care of yourself. A good night's sleep, a balanced diet and healthy habits will help you feel your best at work. That way, you'll be more productive and have enough energy to enjoy whatever's waiting for you when you get off work. 
• Make yourself comfortable. When you're sitting in front of a screen for hours on end, it's essential to feel comfortable. If your back or head hurts at the end of the day, your posture may have something to do with it. Not only is it unpleasant, it also prevents you from working properly.
• Simplify your to-do list. A long to-do list is discouraging and the best way to procrastinate. Break up your day by setting shorter-term goals. However, don't spend hours arranging your to-do list - it's not only boring, it's also counter-productive. 
• Refuse to multitask. Multitasking is detrimental to your performance. By spreading your attention too thinly, you lose track of what you're doing, and waste precious time trying to find it again. By dividing your day into clear tasks to which you can devote your full attention, not only will you be more efficient, but you'll also have more fun, because it's always nice to feel like you're making progress.

Valued if not implicitly demanded, multitasking is an illusion. Access to much more information and at a much faster speed multiplies task changes and interruptions. The brain has to hold and manipulate a multitude of elements at the same time. Studies show that this is detrimental to efficiency and leads to fatigue and stress.

Find out more: Hyperconnected, the brain at risk

"All the misfortune of men comes from one thing, which is not knowing how to rest in a room.

- Blaise Pascal

2 - Distractions from other people

A noisy workplace, interruptions every three minutes, meetings that never end are all nuisances that prevent you from working serenely and efficiently. 

Our tips for reducing distractions from your outdoor environment: 

• Work quietly. Close your office door or find a place where you won't be disturbed. Let your colleagues know that you don't want to be interrupted for a while. This could be headphones, a "Stop" sign, a red light, etc. If you can't find a quiet place (if you work in an open space, for example), there are applications that generate "white noise", so plug in your headphones and enjoy a more soothing working environment. 
• Reduce interaction. Interaction at work is not only a necessity, it's usually a pleasure. If you're constantly being interrupted by a question, an e-mail or the phone ringing, you can't maintain a state of concentration... Plan one or more time slots during which you are unavailable. Sometimes, questions may even resolve themselves in the meantime.  
• Conduct effective meetings. To make your meetings more effective, set an agenda and stick to it. If other topics come up, they can be dealt with at another time. Ideally, provide a full brief (up to 6 A4 pages) of the subject under discussion. Ask people to read it before the meeting, or allocate the first 10 minutes to reading it in silence. Invite only those people strictly necessary to the discussion. Finally, plan a time slot for the meeting and stick to it. 

3 - Digital distractions

While the invention of the smartphone has certainly changed our lives, its appearance on our desks is perhaps the worst enemy of our productivity. When you're in the middle of a task and a notification pops up on your phone or in the corner of your screen, it's natural to glance at it and often difficult to resist. Even if you don't open it, your attention has been lost for a few seconds. An article published on LCI shows that we look at our phone screen on average 150 times a day. We lose several minutes every day and, above all, it is impossible to stay focused for long. 

Here are some tips that will help you save valuable time:

• Deactivate all notifications (sound and LED). You'll soon appreciate a silent phone. Your smartphone doesn't have to decide for you when to use it.
• Activate airplane mode or "Do Not Disturb" mode when you want to stay focused on an important task.
• Close unnecessary programs on your computer. Working on an important presentation? You don't need to check your e-mail or Facebook. Turn off these disruptive elements. The world won't fall apart if you're unavailable for a few hours.
• Set up a specific time slot. Check your e-mails and other notifications on dedicated time slots. Spend 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a day, and you'll save yourself time and stress. 
• Clean up your inbox. Nothing is more anxiety-inducing than an overflowing mailbox. By archiving or deleting messages you no longer need, your inbox will gain in clarity. So you don't feel overwhelmed every time you log on.

The success of a life depends on the ability to forget what is not appropriate for the present moment

- Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi)

In conclusion

A time for everything, everything in its time

When you feel effective, you are less stressed and more fulfilled. If your productivity improves - your business is grateful - you gain peace of mind and enjoy your tasks more. By implementing some of the tips given in this article, you will reclaim the time that is stolen from you every day. 

Adopt new habits to help you control the distractions around you. Take stock of your use of the phone and various messaging systems and limit the amount of time you spend on them. Be clear about your need to be undisturbed and create a work environment that is conducive to productivity. Shorten your to-do list and tackle one task at a time. 

These simple steps will allow you and your team to work more efficiently and more serenely. 

We must learn to remain serene in the midst of activity and to be vibrant with life when resting.

- Gandhi