Digital overload becomes the deficiency in our efficiency

Ding. Buzz. Buzz. Ding. Beep. Ding. Buzz. Beep.

It seems like every five seconds, our phones send barrages of notifications our way. It’s a familiar feeling, wading through the mire of home screens or inboxes for important information. The world is speeding up at an exponential rate, and our devices deliver the information 24/7, 365, with breakneck efficiency. Being in the know is an important aspect of working efficiently and productively. Technology has always been a powerful tool to aid in communication and the dissemination of information. Now that many workplaces have moved online, keeping the notification bell on has become common practice, and staying up to date has taken a paramount position at the proverbial conference table. So, clearly, the more connected we are to our e-mails, news apps, and texts messages, the better, right?

Slow down, cowboy

On the surface, more and faster might champion the flag of efficiency. If the information we receive isn’t carefully managed, however, it can have the opposite effect. Are our collective efforts toward connectivity and efficiency actually hindering our ability to work in a productive and healthy manner? Yes, and there are very tangible detriments that come with being too connected.