Welcome to this week's issue of Executive Insight.   

Unplug Your Brain

Earlier this week I read a great article in The New York Times about a group of neuroscientists who traveled to a remote area of southern Utah that had no wireless or cell phone access. The purpose of the trip was to examine how retreating into nature (without the usual technological paraphernalia) might change how we pay attention.

The scientists examined their own behavior around attention as it pertained to withdrawing from their day-to-day lives, including email, cell phones, and laptops.

What piqued my interest in this article was that neuroscientists - rather than medical professionals or spiritually oriented practitioners - were touting the benefits of disconnecting.

One of the things they observed was that not only does the act of receiving phone calls and emails detract from our attention, but also the anticipation of receiving them interferes with our focus.

This has huge implications for how we function on a daily basis. The participants on this trip did not undergo any high level transformation, but all of them realized the importance of being more mindful and engaged.

From multitasking to overscheduling, we add undue stress to our attention span. Constant abuse of our attention mechanism only has negative implications, not the least of which is making mistakes.

As the last days of summer are ahead, we have the perfect opportunity to disconnect and reflect. If you practice some of this -even for a few hours - you'll be amazed how new insights spring forward.

Have a great week!

 

 

Copyright 2010 Lisa M. Aldisert

 

 

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Quote of the Day 
"Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you."
     - Langston Hughes