Distracted? It’s Time to Hit the Reset Button
People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks, says Peter Bregman
Nov 23, 2011
The New York Times
November 19, 2011
By EILENE ZIMMERMAN
Q. You enjoy being fully immersed in your work but find yourself becoming distracted by e-mail, the Internet and other things throughout the day. Why do you lose focus so easily?
A. People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks, says Peter Bregman, author of “18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done” and chief executive of a management consultancy in New York. “We have a momentary feeling of wanting to escape what’s difficult or boring, so we jump out,” he says — hence the appeal of e-mail and shopping Web sites.
The brain’s wiring also lends itself to being distracted. The part of the brain devoted to attention is connected to the brain’s emotional center, says Srini Pillay, author of “Your Brain and Business” and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Any strong emotion — frustration with a colleague, problems at home — can disrupt your attention, he says.
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Nov 23, 2011
The New York Times
November 19, 2011
By EILENE ZIMMERMAN
Q. You enjoy being fully immersed in your work but find yourself becoming distracted by e-mail, the Internet and other things throughout the day. Why do you lose focus so easily?
A. People often lose their concentration when they are bored, of course, but also when they are engaged in challenging tasks, says Peter Bregman, author of “18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done” and chief executive of a management consultancy in New York. “We have a momentary feeling of wanting to escape what’s difficult or boring, so we jump out,” he says — hence the appeal of e-mail and shopping Web sites.
The brain’s wiring also lends itself to being distracted. The part of the brain devoted to attention is connected to the brain’s emotional center, says Srini Pillay, author of “Your Brain and Business” and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Any strong emotion — frustration with a colleague, problems at home — can disrupt your attention, he says.
Read More