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Chronic Procrastination and the Cost of the "Ding!"
Merlin Mann | Jul 21 2008
Guadian UK: Hi-tech is turning us all into time-wasters (via Rich Siegel) A few weeks ago, I pointed you to a startling stat in the New York Times stating that 28% of the average worker's day gets blown on unnecessary interruptions -- helping contribute to a crisis that a company like Intel now considers a $1 billion per year problem. From yesterday's Guardian comes more numbers on the growing cost of distraction:
Of course, as the Inbox Zero guy, I think a real eye-opener sneaks in with this passing note about the cost of all those noisy email notifications you created:
Although the headline wants to point the blame squarely at "hi-tech," the last graf talks about your brain's own role in how that nasty new technology is allowed to be abused:
Do yourself (and your company) a favor this morning: try just briefly shutting off the "Ding!" and give yourself authority to schedule your next email dash. Just for one morning, see if you can't get a bit more actual work done if you're not mentally scanning for sabre-tooths. 10 Comments
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Work in silenceSubmitted by hhugel on July 21, 2008 - 2:31pm.
I have always muted my computer while at work. Between the IM client, e-mail notification, and the tools I use making such a racket I found I was getting a lot less done. I check my e-mail twice an hour now and carry a cell phone incase of emergencies. The phone is set up with ring tones and pics of the people who I may need to speak to (like my boss, etc) which has worked out well. » POSTED IN:
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