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1. Distractions make you dumb
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Distractions make you dumb

Hi,

Did you know your IQ drops when you're distracted?

In 80 clinical trials, Dr. Glenn Wilson, a UK psychiatrist, found the IQ of those who juggled messages and work fell by 10 points - equivalent to missing a whole night's sleep, and more than double the 4-point fall seen after smoking pot.

So if you're constantly interrupted while writing something important, watch out - your end result will be AS IF it was written by someone about 10% dumber. Not a good look.

Here's how some companies minimise distractions. Some rely on setting up guidelines and getting agreement in advance (including not to use the method all day!).

Technology

  • Turn off phones; let callers leave messages. Explain in your voicemail message you'll get back to them by X time.
  • Turn off email, or at least the audible and visible notifications of new emails. (How? Do the opposite of this: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HP052428161033.aspx)
  • Set up an email autoresponder reassuring senders you've got their email, and will respond by X time.

Other people

  • Give all staff a sign they can display (e.g. "Please don't disturb"), or a red "thinking" cap they can wear that shows they're trying to focus.
  • Get agreement that wearing earphones means "Please don't disturb.".
  • Ask your team not to interrupt you for a certain period every day, say, from 8-9 a.m.

You

  • Unclutter your desk so you're not tempted to start multitasking.
  • Close distracting apps, like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Go to work early, stay late, or work from home or a café.
  • Set mini goals and rewards, e.g. to write at least a page before stopping for coffee.

More?

What works for you? Please share your wisdom on our blog. We'd love to be distracted by it.

Paul sig

Paul and Petrina

   
 

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Make it rare to
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What's ONE thing you could do to minimise distractions when you're writing? Jot it down and keep it in front of you to remind you. Commit to doing it, and reward yourself if you do! Now that's smart.

 

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