In today’s fast-paced digital era, it’s alarming how easily we get pulled away from our tasks. Udemy conducted a study[1] The study reveals that an astounding 84.4% admit to being distracted while at work.
Break it down and you’ll see that emails gobble up the attention of 26%, while phone calls and texts claim a lion’s share of 55%. Add co-workers and the vastness of the Internet into the mix and you’re looking at distractions of 27% and 41% respectively.
But it doesn’t stop at work. Personal technology is the main culprit for 59% of people. Facebook’s siren song is too strong for some to resist.
What is the true cost of these distractions? Workers need on average 23 minutes 15 seconds to get back into their original focus after being interrupted. It’s a costly mistake.
These distractions cost American businesses up to $650 Billion per year, according to research.[2] This isn’t just about dollars and cents; it’s about potential unrealized.
The 2018 Udemy Report shows:
- 54% of workers feel they aren’t tapping into their full capabilities,
- 50% of respondents believe that their productivity has been significantly affected,
- 20 percent of people believe that distractions hinder their career development.
Now, if you’re…
