The Solution To All Our Distractions: Flow-Cola

Awaiting worldwide release on a date unknown

Like Adam Grant, I’m languishing.

As if working in closed doors during this Covid induced lockdown isn’t enough, I also get to experience the constant assault of distractions.

We assume the lockdown-induced work is productive because we get to work in a secluded environment, away from the buzz of our offices. No more pesky colleagues to disturb us while we are in the middle of solving an important issue.

But it overlooks that all of our colleagues still have access to us through the digital channels. And the worst part, they can’t even see if we are heads down focused on something important.

Here is what happens on most of my working days: every time I start to do meaningful work, a seductive buzz of notification robs me of my attention. Even if I want to ignore the buzz, I terribly fail at it and give in as the app icon keeps dancing in the app tray like a child wanting to be picked up.

Somehow, my mind always thinks the notification must be of grave importance; otherwise, why would anyone have pinged me.

The notification acts as a guest who is at your door, ringing the doorbell, impervious to how you feel, and wants to get into the house to see you. It sometimes turns into a pleasant surprise, but other times it feels like an intrusion.