Email and Gambling

I just heard on the radio of a study on email conducted by Dr. Thomas Jackson of Loughborough University, England. In the study, Dr. Jackson notes that it takes an average of 64 seconds to recover your train of thought after interruption by email. So, people who check their email every five minutes waste 8 1/2 hours a week trying to get back on track.

Another study by Tom Stafford, a lecturer at the University of Sheffield, England believes that the same learning mechanisms that drive gambling addicts are also at work with email users. "Both slot machines and email follow something called a 'variable interval reinforcement schedule' which has been established as the way to train in the strongest habits," he says. 'This means that rather than reward an action every time it is performed, you reward it sometimes, but not in a predictable way. So with email, when I usually check it there is nothing interesting, but every so often there's something wonderful-and I get a reward." The reinforcement schedule of email is enough to keep us checking whenever we hear the "bell." Didn't Pavlov have a dog that reacted the same way? Scary!

I know I can fall victim to this "conditioning" but I am amazed at what I have been seeing lately. I have been in meetings and the person speaking will stop mid sentence, put the meeting on hold, and check their email because his/her phone beeped. Even regularly when carrying on a one on one conversation with someone, while I am talking with them, they will check their email on their Blackberry or phone. They will even reply to the email while saying to me, "Uh huh, uh huh." Don't people realize we know they are not paying attention to us or listening to what we are saying when they are checking/responding to email?

Again, take a moment and consider your email habits. I have! Turn off the bell and plan a time to check email. (It can at least wait until after our meeting!) One recommendation is to check email two times a day-the beginning of the day and an hour before the end of the day. I know that is a little extreme but limiting it to once an hour for some would be a big step. Then you'll be a winner when it comes to managing your time.

Not a TRUE Interruption

While in a corporate training program a few days ago, I was working through the section of the program that deals with "focusing on your most important acts in your lineup." One of the participants said, "You know, there really aren't many TRUE interruptions." I was curious about their response and asked them to explain.

They said that most individuals consider anything that stops them from completing their current task as an interruption. In reality, many of the things that we consider interruptions are actually part of our job responsibilities. A phone call may be viewed as an interruption, but it is actually within our job expectations to answer it and deal with the need on the other end of the line if it's about work. Someone stopping by our office to ask us something related to work may break our concentration on a high mental task, but it's not truly an interruption.

The person was right. It would be futile to try and eliminate all interruptions-most of us would have to quit our job. Our goal, instead, should be to figure out ways to MANAGE those interruptions that are work-related and MINIMIZE those interruptions that are not work-related. We'll look at ways to do that in our next few blogs.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

No, this post is not about the tune from the Beatles. It's about a quick stress reduction method you can quickly use when around your immediate family members.

According to a study by researchers at Brigham Young University (See USA Today, September 29), a supportive and caring touch like holding hands can lower stress hormones and blood pressure. Especially among men! The study involved couples, but the results were expected to be similar to other loved ones.

I accidentally affirmed their research this weekend. I was rushing around attempting too many acts in my circus when my 4 year old daughter took my hand while we were walking down the steps. I mentally, physically and emotionally came to a screeching halt. I could feel the tension leave my body. It was amazing! The next few moments were quite different.

This doesn't mean that the next time you feel a high level of stress that you should grab a co worker's hand-that could increase your stress even more. It does, however, give you a fast way to reduce your stress-and probably help you focus on your purpose a little more clearly.

A Psychological Recession

Following our last post about a lack of focus in the workplace, I found an insightful article written by Geoff Colvin of Fortune magazine. Entitled, "Recession... Or Not?" he cites psychologist Judith M. Bardwick and her thoughts about why people seem so intent that a recession exists when so many facts say otherwise. Colvin brilliantly sums up much of her comments with, "If I am afraid that my sky MAY be falling, then the sky itself IS falling."

Keeping Your Focus

I heard an HR professional make a powerful comment about some of the employees in her company. She said, "I wish more people would stop worrying about losing their job and actually focus on DOING their job. If they spent more time on the latter, they wouldn't have to worry as much about the former." Well said.

It is difficult to stay focused in these uncertain times, but spending time worrying about the worst case scenario does little to improve the situation. In fact, it may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Multiply one person's lack of productivity by just half of the people within an organization, and sure enough-their worst fears may come true.

Look for tips and strategies on helping others maintain their focus in our next monthly newsletter.