The Value of Distraction

It is well known that the success of any business is contingent upon employee production. The amount of focus and attention employees “put in” to work assignments directly affect the quality of and the efficiency in which work products are “put out” from the business. In light of this, the question every employer might ask is, “How can I maximize production from my employees?”

A recent study led by University of Illinois psychology professor Alejandro Lleras suggests that increasing attention and focus is not merely a matter of simply trying harder or not allowing oneself to become distracted. Instead, his team found that the ability to focus is not a voluntary action but a biological mechanism. Over time, the brain begins to associate the constancy of any single task with that task becoming unimportant and consequently, erases it from awareness. When this happens, it is not that you stop paying attention; it is that you start paying attention to something else, according to Lleras.

So how can you counter a phenomenon that is ingrained in your natural, biological makeup? The answer: Distract yourself. Lleras’ research reveals that "even brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one's ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods."

What do you do to stay on task?

How do you handle interruptions?

Can you find value in "created distractions?"