Disconnect and start thinking again

Tony Schwartz in the Harvard Business Review blog has some sensible advice for dealing with the constant pressure of feeling we have to respond to emails as they ping up on our screens.  Tony says:

"I gave a talk recently at a Fortune 100 company about the value of focusing on one thing at a time and the attentional costs of constant interruptions. When I was done, an articulate and ingenuous young man who worked in finance came up to me. "I believe everything you said," he said, "but I can't do it. If I get an email, I have to look at it."

"Have you considered just turning it off at certain times during the day?" I asked. 

"I don't think I can," he replied. "As soon as I turn it off, I'd start obsessing about what I'm missing."

It isn't overload we're battling anymore, it's addiction — to action, and information, and connection, but above all to instant gratification."

I agree that there is an addictive element to email and, more recently, Twitter.  With email, people are talking to us and it feels rude not to respond.  With Twitter there is a conversation we want to be part of before it moves off and leaves us behind.  Tony encourages us to break this addictive cycle and spend time focussing on what really matters.  Thinking without constant interruptions is vital to planning and strategic decision making.  He suggests:

"Here's one way to start. Take back your lunch. I wrote about this movement on this site last week. Get up from your computer step outside and leave your iPhone or your Blackberry behind. Instead, use the time to quiet your mind, or to think through a difficult problem, or to truly connect with a friend, or a colleague. You'll be building much needed renewal into your day, and you'll also be effectively retraining your attention." 

I wouldn't argue with that.  I'd also add that for the times when you do need to be at your computer but don't want to be distracted by email, Twitter etc. just unplug the ethernet cable or whatever connects you to the internet.  If you don't want to have to grub around under your desk to do this then I can recommend this little utility which allows you to turn off the internet for set amounts of time.  It costs $10 and, like me, you may suffer some withdrawal symptoms at first but it will pay for itself in a day and you'll be able to start thinking more clearly again.