The concept that the result of switching between tasks, or multitasking, leaves part of our attention on the previous task. This results in significant costs to our performance on the next task.
Reference: Sophie Leroy, 2009 paper "Why Is It So Hard To Do My Work?" - introduced the concept of attention residue.
Insight: When you switch between tasks your attention does not immediately follow - some of it is stuck on the previous task.
Insight: Attention residue is stronger if the original task is unbounded and low intensity.
Insight: Attention residue lowers performance on subsequent tasks, the 'thicker' it is, the worse the performance.
Insight: Working in a state of semi-distraction can greatly undermine performance.
Principle: Work on a single task for a long time, without switching to maximise performance.
Reference: Sophie Leroy - coined the term attention residue.
Insight: Rapidly shifting attention has an impact on our ability to process information effectively.
Insight: What we have previously spent our attention on can interfere with our ability to focus on subsequent tasks or actions.
Insight: Attention residue is an outcome of multitasking, that hinders performance on current tasks.
Insight: The more our attention switches in a day, the lower our productivity.
Insight: Even after stopping an activity, 'residue' from that tasks can stay on your mind and interfere with the following activities.
Insight: The internet and digital distractions shift our attention between things, creating an attention residue, which reduces cognitive performance on subsequent tasks.
Insight: What we do before creative work impacts our performance significantly.
Insight: Moving between tasks has significant costs including attention residue that can make it hard to be productive and deepen ideas.
Principle: Assign the start of the day to creative and productive activities that require focused attention.
Key Insights & Principles
Creativity & Productivity
Multitasking, or switching between tasks results in some attention being stuck on the previous task, lowering the performance on the next task.
The more our attention switches the lower our productivity, and capacity for deep thought and creativity.
What we do before creative work impacts our performance significantly.
Focus on a single task for as long as possible without switching.
Remove distractions.
Start the day with work that requires creativity and deep thought.
