Attention Residue
Attention Residue
In a study conducted by Dr. Sophie Leroy at NYU participants switched tasks and had their performance measured after the transition. Not surprisingly, when participants were not allowed to complete, or “close the loop” to their first task, their performance suffered on the following task. According to Dr. Sophie Leroy, incomplete tasks attract our attention for a period of time after a transition. When working on tasks, we have two strong needs in order to switch tasks without affecting performance. We have a need for completion and a need for cognitive closure. It is very difficult to give our full attention to a second task when our minds linger on the first task. This lingering thought is what Dr. Leroy calls attention residue.
Need for Completion and Closure
The need for completion is a strong motivator and switching tasks is cognitively frustrating. Unmet needs of completion weakens our attention to the second task and there is an unfulfilled desire to complete. Cognitive closure is a decision to end a task or process usually associated with reaching a goal or partial predetermined goal. Also, high pressure or time pressure adds an additional need for closure. Dr. Leroy found that with higher pressure to complete a task, there was more cognitive closure upon completion. With low pressure tasks, the kind we often face throughout the day, there is less of a feeling of completion because we have time to ruminate on the task leaving less of a feeling of closure.
The “Ready To Resume” Plan
Fortunately, Dr. Leroy gives us a plan that allows us to leave switch from one task to another without the residue. She calls it the “ready to resume” plan. This is a 2-part plan that allows us to give our full attention to the next task but return to the task without performance suffering suffering.
Note where you are
Note what to do next
This is a very quick and simple, but practical and effective plan that really works.
Learn More
If you have about 7 minutes, HERE is Dr. Leroy being interviewed on a daytime talk show. And HERE is here paper on Work Task Transitions and Attention Residue.
Great stuff!
Got attention residue?
Try the “ready to resume” plan.
Let me know how it goes.
Enjoy the day!
