The Cost of Not Paying Attention

By Vijay Kumar

A recent study shows :-

++ Modern-day staff work for just 11 minutes before they are interrupted by an e-mail, phone call or a metaphorical tap on the shoulder from a colleague.

++ Once people are interrupted, it takes an average of nearly half an hour to return to the original task, but some workers admit their concentration is ruined for the rest of the day.

++ The employees devoted an average of just 11 minutes to a project before the ping of an e-mail, the ring of the phone, or a verbal interruption from a manager or colleague pulled them in another direction.

++ The five biggest causes of interruption were a colleague stopping to talk, being called away from the desk (or leaving voluntarily), arrival of new e-mail, doing another task on the computer, or a phone call.

++ Edward Hallowell, a leading psychiatrist, said: "They complained that they were more irritable than they wanted to be. Their productivity was declining and they couldn't get organised." He has branded workers' compulsive use of mobiles, computers, and Blackberries as "screen-sucking".

++ Business leaders recognised that interruptions happen, but said they should be managed alongside regular workload.

++ David Lonsdale, assistant director of CBI Scotland, said: "Interruptions, from within or outwith the workplace, can sometimes make it seem hard to get things done, particularly with the growth in use of new technology.

++ However, unexpected calls or queries do not necessarily have to disrupt the working day. Less urgent items can be done later, and those pop-up boxes and bells that signal the arrival of new e-mail can be disabled. Telephone calls can also be screened.

++ In next-generation systems, interruptions are designed to be less intrusive, without flashes, pop-ups or pings. For example, e-mail alerts will appear on the periphery of a screen that is larger than today's standard, so that workers remain concentrated on their main task.

++ People such as Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, claims to stay focused by avoiding junk food and doing daily workouts. Although a serious multi-tasker and mobile phone fan, Ms Rice does not rely on e-mail or a hand-held computer, but carries her agenda in her head.

++ It has been described as multi-tasking madness as office workers struggle to balance their normal workload with an increasing number of e-mails and other demands.

But the question is how do we get to a place ten years from now where we’re thriving, given the fact that globalization and the Internet are here, and we’re directly competing with 1.2 billion Chinese and 1 billion people in India?

Governor of South Carolina (US of A) Mark Sanford in his state Address