Problem: Distracted Employees (distraction epidemic)
What is the Distraction Epidemic?
It seems everyone is distracted these days…distracted from driving, friends, work etc. Multitasking is a
rapidly growing phenomenon affecting all segments of the population but is rarely as successful as its
proponents believe. The use of mobile electronic devices contributes importantly to multitasking and
cognitive overload. Although personal electronic devices provide many benefits, their adverse effects are
frequently overlooked. Personal observation and a review of the scientific literature supports the view
that overuse or misuse of personal electronic devices promotes cognitive overload, impairs multitasking
and lowers performance at all ages but particularly in the elderly. This phenomenon appears to be
rapidly increasing and threatens to become a tsunami as spreading electronic waves cause an ‘epidemic
of distraction’. Mobile electronic devices often bring benefits to their users in terms of rapid access to
information. However, there is a dark side to the increasing addiction to these devices that challenges
the health and well-being of the entire population, targeting, in particular, the aged and infirm. New
approaches to information gathering can foster creativity if cognitive overload is avoided.
National Data:
Distraction is a major concern for businesses. It is VERY costly. According to the 2017 Liberty Mutual
Insurance Workplace Safety Index, workplace injuries and accidents that caused employees to miss six or
more days of work cost U.S. employers $59.9 billion in 2014, the most recent year for which statistically
valid injury data are available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Academy of
Social Insurance
Why is this happening?
A primary culprit is the Technology Industry, particularly smartphones and tablets. The Tech industry is
spending billions of dollars to distract us every day at work and at home. To fight this battle and reclaim
productivity and true creativity, we need to acknowledge the problem and then, as business owners and
proactive employees, take steps to fix it.
- The distraction epidemic (with so much technology and opportunities for employees to “put off work”) they are easily disengaged and interrupted
- Learned helplessness – a person’s sense of powerlessness and a persistent mindset of having an inability to succeed
- Poor communication (usually due to a very reactive instead of responsive environment at work)
- Lack of autonomy (most employees struggle making decisions i.e. decision fatigue and paralysis by analysis so they can feel “helpless”
Common Pitfalls
Nomophobia: It’s called “nomophobia” (short for no-mobile–phone phobia), and psychologists say that
it’s affecting more and more young people. Symptoms include feelings of panic or desperation when
separated from your smartphone, not being able to focus on conversations or work, and constantly
checking phones for notifications.
Multitasking: trying to do too much at once and never feeling able to say “no” to anyone, often the
problem of a perfectionist.
Monkey brain: difficulty sticking with a project until it’s completed because you lose focus or interest,
often a problem with someone having no good structures in place to get their work done. Ideas and
thoughts are all over the place
Worrying/Fear: wasting too much of our time doing things to counteract anxiety instead of using our
time to master our tasks.
Playing the “fixer”: fixing everyone else’s problems but your own and placing their needs above yours
out of guilt or duty.
How Boost Helps
Boost provides innovative, affordable and accessible training that helps disengaged employees in a
multitude of ways. Our innovative courses train employees on how to be more present, confident and in
control of their professional and personal lives by understanding and improving
- Mindfulness at work
- Emotional Intelligence
- Improve mental health and wellness
- Time management
Admit it’s a problem – We ALL struggle with distraction. Own up to it.
Awareness – Everything starts with awareness. Most people struggle due to sub conscious self
-sabotaging behaviors. It takes training to facilitate the awareness and to make adjustments or
improvements.
Audit – Learn to hold yourself accountable so others don’t. Most people, if they are honest, will be very
alarmed at the amount of time and attention they waste on things like television and social media. It can
upwards of 8 hours per day!
Accountability – Once you have the awareness it’s all about action. Learning strategies to be more
present and less distracted. Boost provides you the tools and the training to improve.
Appreciate – You will certainly appreciate all the “extra” time you have once you learn how to be less
distracted and you will certainly be more productive, happier and healthier.
Our results:
- Improved confidence by 40%
- Increases sales by 39%
- Motivation increased by 20%
- Improved Focus by 30%
- Data from Boost MTLA pre and post-assessments 2017-2018
Just imagine what that type of improvement can do for your employees, your customers and your
bottom line
Testimonials
“As a CEO and business owner you want top performers and this is the BEST tool you can give them”
Dr. Rich Berkowitz (CEO Carolina Chiropractic Plus)
“Dr. Hickerson and Boost have identified and created an incredible resource for one of the biggest
problems human beings have. His mental health education system is second to none. In your
business, if you are suffering from inconsistent performance you will benefit from the system he and
his team created. I’ve seen average teammates turn into high performers. I’ve seen one person go
through his program and the whole team benefit. I’ve seen underperforming salespeople close $250
million in assets within a few weeks. I’ve seen the benefits of his program affect every area of
people’s lives.”
Jesse Miller – CEO Integrity Enterprises