Originally published July 29 2005
Communications-age distractions hinder workers' productivity
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Carl Honore, author of "In Praise of Slowness," estimates the typical office worker is interrupted every three minutes by phone calls, e-mails, instant messages or some other distraction that keeps them from getting their job done to the best of their abilities.
Microsoft, which created much of the software that allows for instant interruptions, such as the alerts that pop up with each new e-mail, is aware of the problem.
On the road, cell phones and BlackBerrys enable workers to stay in touch with colleagues.
Desperate for some quiet time to think, people are coming up with low-tech strategies to get away from all their technology.
"If you don't have that sort of free time to dream and muse and mull, then you are not being creative, by definition," said Dan Russell, a senior manager at IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose, Calif.
Instead, he pulls down unread messages twice a day.
He leaves his cell phone in the car and doesn't use instant messaging software.
And when he really needs some uninterrupted time to think, he will schedule the break as an important out-of-the-office event.
In reality, he will just find a nearby office and close the door.
Russell acknowledges, though, that his efforts have only a limited effect without others around him joining in--and so far, he hasn't managed to persuade many to slow down.
Half of workers felt a need to respond to e-mails immediately or within an hour, and one in five people reported being "happy" to interrupt a business or social gathering to respond to an e-mail or phone message.
Even the last few bastions of disconnectedness are being wired.
For Nasdaq CEO Bob Greifeld, the airplane was the one place he could count on for some time to step back and ponder things.
These days, corporate culture frowns on those who turn off their instant messaging software or don't respond quickly to the latest e-mail.
"People start to look at you with contempt or disgust if you shift away from the technology," Honore said.
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