Can I Have Your Attention?

Chapter 12Free at Last

The second key question to becoming focus-wise in your use of technology is: Does your technology sap or save attention resources?

Freedom to focus thrives with the efficient capturing and sharing of information, elimination of errors, and ease of use. It ultimately increases both productivity and innovation.

Until now in this book, innovation has taken a backseat to understanding the causes and costs of distraction in the constantly connected workplace. It's time to remember the big picture. What is your goal?

The key initiatives that drive business, whether they be innovation, process improvement, project execution, or simple selling, all thrive when our teams are focused on the most important things. Consider Harry and Jack. On Monday afternoon, they both had a moment of insight about how to improve their businesses. This epiphany is like the beginning embers of a new fire. If it is nourished, it can expand into a raging inferno. If neglected, it will be snuffed out, as though it never happened.

In Harry's excitement, he vets his idea with his peers. They're excited. He's excited. Before long, though, Harry's routine catches up with him. His wife sends him a few texts about their weekend plans, and as he plans his weekend, his work-related e-mails back up. Worse, many of those e-mails don't require him to think. He simply has to perform the rote exercises.

Harry looks up a document to e-mail to Susie in accounting. He opens the spreadsheet he's been authoring ...