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My Worst Enemy - Focus

Posted on 11/03/2008 at 01:03:55 PM by Zach Wilson

There is a nice New York Times summary of the research on what happens when users switch their attention between different applications and tasks.

For me, it seems like having a little ambient noise, such as the Radio - no talk shows are permitted.

As I am writing this I've checked the stock market twice and my email several times. This brief article should have probably taken my five minutes to write, but here I am in my fifteenth minute.

It seems it's all about the zone, whether it be running, riding or working, I need to find "the zone". This is a little place where nothing else exists. To enter such a place while on my laptop is to switch off IM, Twitter, and the like and refrain from checking your email more than once per hour.

The reality is, who wants to do that and work? The truth is even the shortest interruption costs you several minutes of productivity as you switch your brain back into gear for your main task. Add up these small pocket of minutes in your day and you'll quickly realize that you're at work until 8 pm everyday vs. 5.

Can I set a NY resolution for 2009 yet?

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