Look at the updates below and consider how many of them need your immediate, urgent (as in drop everything) attention:
- Geeta just sent a tweet to you.
- Terry just liked your Instagram photo.
- Mary just added you on Google+.
- Jose just left a comment on your blog.
- Jon has just invited you to like his new Facebook page.
- Gill just added you to a list.
- Ali just sent you a text message.
- Tony just invited you to join him on Linkedin.
- Maria just commented on your Facebook post.
- Lee just favourited your tweet.
- Louis just IM’d you.
Even though these are non critical events (they would have called you), most of us have our devices set up to notify us instantly, whenever they happen.
The endless stream of interruptions controls our focus, breaks our concentration, eats into our precious time and lowers our productivity. (Here are some ideas to improve your productivity.)
Unless you provide an emergency service…
Consider turning off your notifications, until you are ready for them.
Check them when you have a break. Check them when it suits you and your work flow.
Be deliberate, regarding where you invest your time, focus and energy. Don’t surrender them to instant updates. Your immediate attention is seldom, if ever, required.