Why Distraction Is Not Your Enemy
We live in an era of distraction.
Teachers, researchers, and productivity experts love to remind us of our inability to stay focused. Technology seems to be “eroding human memory,” “creating irreparable damage to brain functioning,” or “diminishing our ability to do deep work.”
Either you are focused, or you are wasting your time, they tell you.
Most reports portray distraction as a devastating epidemic. However, experts worrying about our diminishing attention span is nothing new. So did our ancestors when books, radio, or TV disrupted their respective eras.
What if we stop seeing distraction as the enemy?
The Benefits of Not Paying Attention
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal.” — Paulo Coelho
As a father of two teenagers, I too worry about distraction as an addiction. Also, coaching teams to become more focused and productive, I tackle this issue all the time. However, seeing technology as the enemy doesn’t help.
There’s another side to the “era of distraction” truism.
Distraction can increase performance and endurance — listening to music during exercise gives your workout a boost and makes physical activity…
