Unfortunately, our brains never evolved to have dual processors. Had they developed in this way, we would be able to focus on two cognitive tasks simultaneously, just as our smart phones can surf the web while calling a friend or send a text while playing music. Instead, each time our brains try to do more than one task at a time, we need to switch our attention back and forth, and those transitions come at a price. When our attention switches from one target to another and then back again, it takes a measurable amount of time to focus on the new cognitive function. Psychologists refer to this as “attention residue” and note these moments detract from our cognitive functions and take time to clear.
Of course, our brains went through millions of years of evolution before smart phones arrived on the scene. But over the last decade, phones and tablets have been purposely designed to make us want to continually check emails, texts, and popup messages all while doing an endless number of other tasks through our favorite applications. The result of using dual processor technology on our single processor brains? Many people are experiencing a state of persistent “attention residue” as we compulsively check our smart devise dozens or even hundreds of times a day. This is not a great mental state to develop and maintain for students or professionals who need to stop, focus, and deeply engage in higher cognitive functions in order to learn complex concepts or produce high quality work.
As a result, these days what psychologists refer to as ‘deep work’ is increasingly rare and also, I would argue, increasingly important for success in all areas of one’s life. The problem is that thanks to our advanced technology, it’s also difficult create the conditions where it’s possible. Having the time and space for deep work isn’t as simple as waiting until one’s schedule is clear for an entire afternoon, as smart technology doesn’t adhere to an appointment schedule or stop outside a closed door. Instead, it is often necessary to actively block distractions and create the sacred time and space needed for this kind of learning and work.
As I wrote in a previous blog, recent studies have shown that even being in the same room as one’s smart phone is a distraction. For deep work to occur, we not only need to unplug, we need to separate from these devices so they can not be seen, heard, or felt. For when these distractions are left behind and our calendars are blocked as they would be for an important appointment, our brains can fully focus on these important tasks.
We all know allocating time and space for deep work can be difficult to create and even harder to preserve, but consider the benefit: when the goal is to pursue meaningful and challenging cognitive functions, the concentration one achieves through deep work is akin to a super power. And when we create the right conditions for this superpower to flourish, it is far more rewarding than all of the buzzes, lights, and sounds that even an entire entourage of smart phones can offer us.
