What are external distractions?

External distractions are elements from your environment that draw your attention away from your current task. These could be objects or events that are highly noticeable or unusual, such as vibrations from your phone, flashes of light, loud noises, or even hearing your name called. These distractions work on your brain’s natural alert system, capturing your focus irrespective of your goals or current activities 1.

For example, in a conversation, you might get distracted by someone talking loudly at the next table. This external multitasking can split your attention and degrade your performance in the ongoing interaction 1. Another example is receiving a phone notification while engaged in an important task, prompting you to check the phone and lose focus on what you were originally doing 2.

Being aware of these distractions and finding strategies to manage them is crucial for maintaining productivity and focus.