Increased Focus, Fewer Distractions, and Greater Beauty but at What Cost?
Studies show benefits of distraction
As a teenager, I loved riding horses. The power, the freedom, and the speed were exhilarating. But you needed to remain vigilant, because horses could spook very easily.
A shadow, a sound, a bush where once a rabbit ran across their path… these things could all spook a horse. They might shy, sidestep, buck, or take off running at full speed in any direction.
I learned my lesson about vigilance the hard way. A horse I was riding saw the shadow of a ladder moving past the open door of the arena.
I have no idea what he thought it was, but whatever it was terrified him. He threw me and dragged me for a good hundred feet when my boot caught in the stirrup.
Sometimes, horses are just too skittish, despite their riders’ vigilance. In this case, the horses have blinders attached to their bridles. If you’ve never seen them, they’re little shields on the side of the horses’ eyes. They limit peripheral vision, and direct the focus forward.
This prevents the horse from being spooked by something glimpsed out of the corner of their eye.
Humans have something very similar. Except, instead of being spooked, we get distracted.
What’s that noise? Ooh, a new text!
The internet is the acclaimed master of all distraction. It’s virtually impossible to go online for one thing and not find yourself pulled down a rabbit hole. Ads, hyperlinks, and “if you liked this…” recommendations all vie for our attention.
We wage war on distraction. Focus apps on our computers prevent distracting messages from interrupting us. Noise cancelling headphones block out unwanted sounds. Headphones or earbuds let us cocoon ourselves in our chosen soundscape.
What does this intense focus gain for us? And what do we lose?
The case in favor of focus
It is well known that deep concentration is only possible when you’re not distracted. Experts in flow and productivity all recommend that you set aside blocks of time for your best work. Only answer emails or do other distraction-prone tasks after this work is done.
But there are some other surprising benefits of removing distractions, as well. For example, limiting distractions helps you appreciate beauty. A recent study on how people perceived beauty indicated that focus increases appreciation.
Participants who were distracted perceived 15% less beauty. Yet their perception of neutral pictures was unchanged. It appears that they dampened their appreciation, rather than making everything more ugly.
The initial study did not apply the findings to anything other than beauty. But the findings suggest that it applies to anything requiring thought to appreciate. Thus, people with focus should also be more grateful. And gratitude has been shown to have many benefits.
So focus is good, right?
Not so fast.
The case in favor of distraction
Another study divided people into two groups based on how easily distracted they are.
The normal people got distracted the first time they heard a sound. Once they identified the sound, they were not distracted by it again.
The distractable people reacted with the same strength every time. They literally could not ignore the sound. This was true for neutral sounds like ticking clocks, as well as conversation.
The distractable people have divergent stimuli hitting them all the time. As a result, they tend to be more creative in general. But they also tend to come up with more creative solutions to problems.
A similar study from a few years ago proposed that those who were able to focus would be the higher achievers. But what they discovered in the experiment is that the opposite was true.
People who were easily able to focus often became stuck in patterns of thinking. People who were prone to distractability had more innovative and creative responses. This led them to be more successful overall.
In fact, another study of workplace productivity found something surprising. Those who took breaks to aimlessly surf the internet were more productive!
So distraction is good?
Again, not so fast.
Balancing focus and distraction
The key to long term success appears to be the ability to balance focus and distraction. In fact, the Pomodoro Technique may owe its success precisely to this balance.
If you are easily distracted
Those who are easily distracted can minimize their distractions by:
- Turning off all computer, phone, and other device notifications
- Setting aside blocks of time to handle email, and ignoring it during the rest of the day
- Listening to instrumental or ambient music
- Working in a quiet area
- Using noise cancelling headphones
If you are easily focused
Those who need to break their focus and allow distractions can:
- Get up, move around, and change viewpoints between tasks
- Take time between tasks to study the environment
- Listen to music with lyrics
- Work in a busy area such as a coffeeshop
- Take a few minutes between tasks to aimlessly surf the internet
Conclusion
Being able to tune out distractions and focus allows you to get into the flow state and do deep work. It also helps you appreciate beauty and possibly gratitude.
Being unable to tune out distractions and focus allows you to be more creative. You are able to find innovative solutions to problems.
For the greatest success, mix periods of focus with periods of distraction. Depending on which type of person you are, you can help yourself develop the other state.
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