Friday morning, the day ahead seems relatively calm. You will finally have time to work on the presentation that needed to be completed…last week. As you sit down at your keyboard, you notice that someone on your team has dropped you a line with a “quick question.” What follows is a lengthy discussion on the issue, which wasn’t so trivial after all, emails piling up in your inbox that you can’t help reading, Teams messages that seem urgent to reply to, not to mention the incessant “ding!” sounds from your phone notifying you of text messages that require your immediate attention. The clock strikes noon, and you have not made any progress on your presentation. The afternoon will be a carbon copy of the morning. Sounds familiar?
These past years have left us increasingly exposed to the relentless buzz of digital media, dragging us into a fast-paced culture addicted to all-at-onceness. Communication platforms have exploded in number and are constantly fine-tuned—not just to make our lives easier, but to keep us hooked. The upshot? Digital overload creeps in unnoticed, catching us off guard.
Digital overload is that tipping point where nonstop content consumption leaves us mentally fogged and unable to process the information we’ve taken in. Ironically, we often turn to our screens to relax or unwind—only to spiral further into digital overload! It’s a growing challenge to look away from these platforms, driven by the nagging fear that something urgent is slipping by.
At Humance, we work closely with managers and their teams every day—and we’ve seen firsthand that digital overload is one of the most pressing challenges, one that’s only set to grow in the years ahead. Just think of how quickly our attention spans are shrinking—right before our eyes. Back in 2004, our average attention span was 150 seconds. By 2018, it had plunged to 47 seconds (Mark, 2023). Given these stats, chances are your attention has already drifted since you started reading this article! At this rate, what kind of attention span can we expect by 2026—or 2035?
Attention span is directly affected by digital overload. Yet it’s becoming one of the most valuable assets in today’s business world—where all-at-onceness and information overload are the norm.
High-performing teams rely on individuals who can maintain focus and, above all, deliver with precision and efficiency. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to set the tone by example. Even if you’re committed to being constantly available for your team, it’s still essential to look up from your screen. That’s why we encourage you to step back and adopt a few simple habits to sharpen your focus and dial down digital overload.
Driving peak team performance in the age of endless distractions
1. Scheduling deep work1 blocks
It’s all too easy to spend half a day—or even a full one—answering emails, juggling instant messages, and sitting in meetings. As American journalist Mark Davis aptly reminds us: “After all, talking about work is not actually work.” That’s why it’s essential to intentionally block time for deep work.
We suggest carving out a weekly 30-minute window for deep, distraction-free work. Sounds impossible? Just keep in mind: if it’s not on the calendar, it won’t magically appear. If you’re in an open space, reach for noise-cancelling headphones. Either way, silence all notifications and set your Teams status to ‘Do Not Disturb.’ Make it clear to your team that this time is sacred. Barring a crisis, you’re not to be interrupted. In the next half hour, fully focused, you’ll be astonished by how much you can get done.
The domino effect? This short period of unavailability might trigger a positive chain reaction of autonomy and empowerment in your team…
2. The power of intentional breaks
What is an intentional break? It’s a short pause—around five minutes—a few times a day to reset your mind and return to your task with renewed focus (Goddard, 2024).
The urge to open a notification the moment it pops up is deeply ingrained. After all, they’re designed to hijack our attention. Let’s break the cycle by creating space where screen time is allowed—intentionally. In other words, by building in breaks throughout the day, we can satisfy the urge for emails, notifications, and social media on our terms. As you refocus on work, put your phone out of sight and cut the distractions.
3. Setting boundaries with technology
Tech tools are all around us—they’re embedded in our daily lives. To manage digital overload, it’s up to each of us to set boundaries that reflect our own needs and realities. Take virtual brainstorming, for example—wouldn’t it be more effective, and more impactful, to do it in person? Sometimes, tech isn’t the answer—the good old whiteboard still has its place!
The constant stream of information has turned digital overload into a daily reality. Yet, it’s crucial not to downplay this situation, because it is precisely in moments of saturation that our ability to think, create, and innovate diminishes and these are the very skills that define our value. Seeking clarity is not a luxury or a sign of weakness; it’s a vital condition for remaining relevant and high-performing. When’s the next time you’ll hit pause?
[1] Deep work: coined by Cal Newport, author of Deep Work and A World Without Email.
Sources
Davis, M. (2021, July 19). Why email is making you miserable. Kintone. https://blog.kintone.com/business-with-heart/why-email-is-making-you-miserable
Goddard, L. (2024). Productivity and innovation: the power of taking breaks and deliberate rest. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381091049_Productivity_and_Innovation_The_Power_of_Taking_Breaks_and_Deliberate_Rest
Mark, G. (2023). Attention span: the new science of finding focus and fighting distraction in the digital age. Hanover Square Press.
