#49 A little change of scene

A Little Change of Scene

Are you a parent worried about your teenager’s ability to study and stay on task?

Or perhaps you yourself find it difficult to concentrate on “deep work”?

Research with high school and university students, led by Dr. Angela Duckworth, determined that – while we often promote greater willpower to resist distractions – this was not the most helpful technique.

Instead, situation modification strategies, in which students intentionally changed their physical circumstances, were more effective. During this research, students watched an animated video and an expert interview that recommended they remove temptations from sight, and choose their own ways to adjust their environment, such as by putting their phone in a drawer or face down.

The results were conclusive:  students who were introduced to situation modification achieved their study goals more often than those encouraged to exert more willpower.

Considering this, what might YOU change in your work setting, to make focusing easier?