If you are trying to get some work done, a distraction is generally perceived as something getting in the way. Whether an interruption from a coworker, an e-mail arriving in your inbox marked “urgent”, or a ringing phone, distractions and interruptions typically make us less productive.
One of the biggest forms of distractions is multitasking. Science tells us that multitasking is actually a myth. We are not doing two things at one time. Rather, our brains are cycling rapidly back and forth between two tasks. So essentially we are interrupting our brain, our thought process, many times per second in order to complete two tasks in the same amount of time. Usually, multitasking makes us less productive. It’s difficult to do two things at a high level while multitasking, unless it’s watching TV while brushing your teeth or something similar.
One form of distraction which does make us more productive is what I call the one minute break. Suppose your work schedule, your employer, or your own plans call for you to work on a project for three hours straight. Then, you will take a break or lunch. Instead, try taking a one minute break every 20 to 40 minutes. That break can be as simple as closing your eyes and take several deep breaths, looking out the window and daydreaming, or standing up and walking around your office. Studies have shown that taking these short interludes make us more productive with the remaining time. Essentially we can accomplish more by doing a little bit less.
Try the one minute break — it’s a worthwhile distraction.