Class
of 2015,
As
I have shared earlier this year my commitment of a monthly resolution I thought
I would share what I have identified for improvement in April. It’s a concept
we all could probably work on.
How
many times have you tried to have a conversation with someone just to find
yourself fighting with their phone for their attention? Or, how many
times have you missed something in a conversation because you were too
distracted thinking about a problem or issue that you are working through that
you didn’t give your constant attention to the person talking? We live in
a world today that rewards the ability of the multitasker!
But
should we? According to the National Safety Council drivers talking on
handheld or hands-free cell phones are four times as likely to be involved in a
car crash. A 2010 Harvard Business Review study found that “multitasking
leads to as much as a 40% drop in productivity, increased stress and a 10% drop
in IQ”. The truth is we don’t multitask. Our brain actually
switches back and forth between handling tasks, rather than processing things
simultaneously. Some people’s brains can just switch more quickly than others.
Therefore
my goal for April is to BE PRESENT. I commit to not talk or touch my cell
phone while driving (even at the red lights), focus on the conversations and
people in front of me and not let my mind wander to other things and show
appreciation for those around me more often.
My
challenge to you is how can you simplify the remainder of the year you have
left, especially with finals approaching? What can you remove or simplify
to allow you more time to focus? How can you manage your electronic
devices versus having them manage you? Dare to take the challenge
with me!
Jennifer Dewar
Alumni
Sponsor
