3 types of weapons of mass distraction

Twenty minutes: that's the amount of time we lose every hour to unplanned distractions. This alarming figure is part of the findings of Edward Hallowell's book Driven to Distraction at Work: How to Focus and Be More Productive. Worse, he states that we spend more than two hours a day trying to regain our focus due to these distractions. In short, every week, distractions take away an entire day's worth of work.

What is a weapon of mass distraction?

In recent years, the term "weapon of mass distraction" has become very popular. This expression is the translation of the English term "weapon of mass distraction". Although it seems to have been used for the first time at the end of the 30's, it is highlighted in 1997 by a film of Stephen Surjik who makes it the title of his work.

A few years later, in 2003, this term was used 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 massive distraction Bush has been hoping for."

Weapons of mass distraction in the workplace

According to a survey conducted by the training site Udemy, 3 out of 4 people admit that they are sometimes distracted during work hours. And the trend is only getting stronger 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 each year. An article in Business News Daily estimates the cost to U.S. businesses at $650 billion. 

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.

On the subject: Hyperconnected, the brain in danger

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 what's ahead when you get off work. 
• Make yourself comfortable. When you're sitting in front of a screen for several hours, it's important to feel comfortable. If your back or head hurts at the end of the day, it's possible that your posture has something to do with it. Not only is it unpleasant but it also prevents you from working in good conditions.
• Simplify your to-do list. Facing 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 counterproductive. 
• Refuse to multitask. Multitasking is detrimental to your performance. By spreading your attention too thin, you lose track of what you are doing and waste precious time trying to find it again. By dividing your day into clear tasks on which you can devote yourself fully, not only do you gain in efficiency but you also take more pleasure in it because it is always pleasant to have the impression of 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.

For more information: Hyperconnected, the brain in danger

"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. Inform your colleagues that you do not want to be interrupted for a certain period of time. This could be headphones, a stop sign, a red light, ... If you can't find a quiet place (if you work in an open space for example), there are applications that generate "white noise", plug in your headphones and enjoy a more peaceful work environment. 
• Cut down on interaction. Interaction at work is not only a necessity but usually a pleasure. If you are constantly interrupted by a question, an email, or the phone ringing, you can't maintain a state of concentration. Plan one or more time slots during which you are unavailable. It may even happen that the questions settle 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 will be dealt with at another time. Ideally, provide a complete brief (up to 6 A4 pages) of the topic being discussed. Ask people to read it before the meeting or allocate the first 10 minutes to read it silently. Invite only those people who are strictly necessary for 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:

• Turn off all notifications (sound and LED). You'll quickly appreciate a silent phone. Your smartphone doesn't have to decide for you when to grab 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 email or Facebook. So turn off those disruptive elements. The world won't fall apart if you're unavailable for a few hours.
• Set up a specific time slot. Check your emails and other notifications on dedicated time slots. By spending 30 minutes 2 to 3 times a day, you save yourself stress and time. 
• Clean up your email inbox. Nothing is more anxiety-provoking than an overflowing email box. By archiving or deleting messages you no longer need, your inbox will gain clarity. This way you won't feel overwhelmed every time you log in.

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

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