I thought it was just me.  I ranted at work last week about the information overload that was stuffing my email box, clogging up my cell phone and busting into every nook and cranny of my day.   “When does a person get time to think?” I cried.

Well I soon found out that I am in good company.  The NY Times reported over the weekend that tech companies such as Microsoft, Intel, I.B.M., and Google are finding that their workers are losing productivity because of the constant interruptions from email, text messaging, etc. They even banded together to form a group to study the problem and find ways to help their workers deal with digital information overload.  In one effort, Intel employees reported that they felt more productive and creative when they limited digital interruptions. 

It’s not only tech employees that deal with digital overload – our kids are wired too.  In a digital world, kids can be connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  What parent hasn’t watched their kids doing homework, while responding to text messages, email, listening to music, watching TV, checking their My Space page, or clicking on the newest You Tube video.  When do they get time to think? Or focus?  It is a problem and the companies who’ve created all this magic are realizing the impact.  We need to teach ourselves and our kids how to turn it off for a while and focus on the task at hand.  Our brains really do focus on one thing at a time (think of cell phone use and driving.) Summertime is a great time to practice some digital free space and time.  Then maybe when fall rolls around again – homework time can be focus time.  Do you see an impact from digital overload?  Please share a comment.

David Walsh