The onslaught of digital distractions is taking a big toll on businesses. A new survey from Udemy finds that it’s a special challenge for Millennials and Gen Z workers, 36% of whom report spending two hours or more each workday “looking at their phones for personal activities.”
Doing Creative Work When You Can’t Stop Looking at Your Phone
Schedule your breaks — it’s that simple.
June 05, 2019
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Summary.
Research shows that digital distractions are creating a big drain on worker productivity, particularly among younger professionals. At the same time, research has shown that a certain amount of distraction can boost creativity. How can organizations and workers find the right balance between focused, intense work and creativity-boosting distractions? The author describes a system of scheduled breaks for “productive distraction” that have helped him become more efficient at work without eliminating the serendipity that a few minutes of web browsing can have as a spur to creativity.
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New!
HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Time Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Time Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Make smarter, more purposeful choices about how you spend your day.