Ever wonder why time seems like slipping so fast that you cannot seem to get things done? You are not alone.
Different Distractions at Work
According to Clockify, up to 79% of workers report feeling distracted during the workday, and 68% believe they do not have enough uninterrupted time to focus.
Distractions result in productivity loss.
According to the study, employees in distracting environments were significantly less productive and focused than those with fewer distractions. The latter demonstrated higher concentration levels and reported feeling more productive, engaged, and satisfied in their jobs.
The biggest workplace distraction is the phone, and research supports this.
Workplace expert Joshua Evans told KTRH that people have become addicted to the constant dopamine hits from short-form content and viral videos that affect work performance. While distractions at work are not new, they are becoming increasingly problematic due to their easy availability, as they are "in our hands at all times."
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According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 55% of people consider their cell phone to be their primary source of distraction, along with the following:
- The Internet: 41%
- Gossip: 39%
- Social media: 37%
- Co-workers dropping by: 27%
- Smoke breaks or snack breaks: 27%
- Emails: 26%
- Meetings: 24%
- Noisy co-workers: 20%
- Sitting in a cubicle: 9%
Why Do People Get Distracted Easily?
Potential distractions are everywhere in a world filled with constant emails, texts, and social media notifications, making it difficult to establish healthy boundaries that allow the brain to decompress, rest, and recover, which is essential for reducing distractibility, licensed clinical mental health counselor, Amelia Kelley, PhD said.
Being easily distracted can also vary from person to person. Some individuals face frequent internal distractions, anxious or preoccupied with specific thoughts or their to-do lists. Others are more susceptible to external distractions, struggling to focus on one task because it reminds them of another unrelated task, according to Kara Naylon, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist at LifeStance Health in Boston, speaking to Everyday Health.
Also termed "popcorn brain," this kind of distraction was introduced by quality-of-life researcher David Levy in 2011, which describes the phenomenon of attention shifting rapidly from one task or topic to another, similar to popcorn kernels popping in the microwave.
When an individual becomes so reliant on electronic multitasking, an offline, slower-paced life becomes unappealing. Constant exposure to digital stimulation alters the way our brains process information.
Preventing Distractions at Work
Understanding the impact of distracted employees allows for implementing policies and procedures to address the issue. Some employers include the following in their employee handbooks:
- Blocking certain websites
- Banning personal calls and cell phone use during work hours
- Setting designated lunch and break times
- Monitoring email and internet usage
- Limiting the number of meetings
- Adopting an open-space layout instead of cubicles
- Allowing employees to telecommute on specific days of the week
Employers do not need to implement drastic measures, as encouraging employees to take short breaks can be effective. Promoting regular breaks can foster a productive office culture, allowing the mind to recharge and enhancing overall productivity, Rosemary Haefner, former chief human resources officer of CareerBuilder, told Business News Daily.
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