How Does Technology Intrude on Your Productivity?
Sep 22, 2024
Most studies find one benefit of a positive work culture is an increase in productivity of around 30%.
You discovered your productivity trigger last week.
Let’s increase productivity again this week by talking about how you limit technology’s intrusion on productivity.
Marilyn vos Savant says, “Working in an office with an array of electronic devices is like trying to get something done at home with half a dozen small children around. The calls for attention are constant.”
Technology intrudes with a creep, then leaps onto the stage of productivity, seizing the starring role. Greater productivity is essential to your Work Positive culture which means you daily recognize the creep and create boundaries that limit it.
When you’re in that nirvana state of a maximum workflow and get interrupted, neuroscientists discovered it takes your mind anywhere from 11-20 minutes to return to that same mental depth of work. Do the math. Makes you wonder how you get anything done most days, right?
For example, you’re in a team meeting. Your phone rings. Do you read the Caller ID and decide about answering?
You’re working on your computer on an important project. Is your e-mail open? Is it set on automatic updates?
What if you’re with a customer and your phone bings a notification? Does your mind wander to who it is and what do they want?
Multi-tasking is a myth.
It’s actually a productivity buster.
The myth is you do more.
The reality is you do less and what you do get done is less well.
Do the math again.
Here are three actions to take today to increase your productivity and limit technology’s intrusion as you create a Work Positive culture:
Establish Technology Schedule
Set up specific times when you employ various technology. Answer email on a schedule—a certain block of time. Turn off the automatic updating feature on your computer and smartphone’s email. Forward requests best answered by a team member. Listen to voicemails and return calls on a schedule.
Establish a technology schedule. Stick to it.
Engage Selectively
Your phone may be smart, but you’re not when selecting how to engage.
Social media is a marvelous relationship-building tool. Use it.
But do you really need a notification when someone wants to connect on LinkedIn? Or, a new cat video goes viral on TikTok? Or, a friend posts a Reel rant about an airline?
Engage selectively with those in your primary sphere of influence. Clients, team members, and family members are top drawer. The rest are also-ran’s for your attention.
Your productivity is at stake. Create boundaries with categories for interaction.
Engage selectively. You have a limited amount of attention.
Execute with the “OFF” Button
You pay for technology services. They are to serve you, not vice versa. Turn them totally off at designated times to innovate and create. A buzz, bing, or bleep dams up your flow for broadening outcomes and developing a new mindset.
Avoid drying up your creative stream. That stream becomes your competitive advantage.
Press the “off” button.
Create boundaries around your technology that allow you to focus completely on what is most important.
Establish a Work Positive culture of productivity when you:
- Establish a technology schedule
- Engage selectively
- Execute with the “off” button.
What’s your question about how to create a positive work culture? Ask Dr. Joey here.
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