How To Focus In The Age Of Distraction? Are You A Multitasker?
By: Matea Dragosavljević
Tags: Distraction, Focus, Digital Lifestyle, Multitasking, Social Media

“Multitasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time” — Steve Uzzell

When you try to do two things at once, you either can´t or won´t do either well. If you think multitasking is an effective way to get more done, you´ve got it backward.

It´s an effective way to get less done. As Stever Uzzell said, “Multitasking is merely the opportunity to screw up more than one thing at a time”.

What if I tell you that multitasking is a lie?

Multitasking is a lie because nearly everyone accepts it as an effective thing to do. People actually think it is something they should do, and do as often as possible. We not only hear talk about doing it, we even hear talk about getting better at doing it.

People can do two or more things at once, walk and talk, or scrolling at social media while sitting next to a friend, or chew gum and read a map. Oh, so many things people do at once! 💁

When it comes to the human mind…the concept of humans doing multiple things at a time has been studied by psychologists since the 1920s, but the term “multitasking” didn´t arrive on the scene until the 1960s. It was used to describe computers, not people.

The speed with which computers tackle multiple tasks feeds the illusion that everything happens at the same time, so comparing computers to humans can be confusing.

What we can´t do is focus on two things at once, like computers. Our attention bounces back and forth.

For instance, a patient is given the wrong medicine. People are trying to do many things at once and forget to do something they should do.

We think we can, so we think we should. Adults driving while talking on the phone, eating, putting makeup. Mobile devices in hands all the time.

Distraction, disruption. Staying on task is exhausting.

But…Poet laureate Billy Collins summed multitasking up well:

“We call it multitasking, which makes it sound like an ability to do lots of things at the same time.”

So, how do you focus in the age of distraction?

Here are 3 facts about distraction:

Distraction is natural. Don´t feel bad when you get distracted. Everyone does it. Multitasking takes a toll. At work, at home, distraction leads to poor choices, painful mistakes, and unnecessary stress. Distraction undermines results. When you try to do too many things at once, you can end up doing nothing well. Figure out what matters most at the moment and give it your undivided attention.

Finally, how can you focus in the age of distraction?

Quit social media and focus on one place on the Internet.

There are so many social media platforms out there. People share content daily. Facebook, Instagram, Medium, Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, Quora, Linkedin…if you want to focus on one thing — choose one platform.

2. Follow the 80/20 rule

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle states that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of all causes for any given event.

In business, a goal of the 80/20 rule is to identify inputs that are potentially the most productive and make them the priority.

When it comes to achieving your main goals, you could probably identify the 20% of activities that get you 80% closer to your goals.

I have found a statement online that 80% of all success is in the right mindset. So, change your mindset first to change your world.

3. Organize your daily and weekly tasks you should do

A good plan and organization for an entire week are very good. Focus on the things you love to do, instead of being disrupted by things you probably don´t like.

Especially in the online world today. It´s never been easier to earn money online because everyone spends time on the Internet

I warmly hope this post helps you!

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