There's been a lot of criticism in the blogosphere of a widely reported news story this week about 'infomania'. If you haven't already, have a quick read then come back.

Mind Hacks, amongst other, less thoughtful responses, question the use of the study. There are two main criticisms:

1. That the connection between being distracted and impaired performance is hardly groundbreaking.
Yes, but...remember that the people in this study were specifically told not to answer the phone and not to answer any emails. People are suffering a serious cognitive deficit just from the presence of potential distracters. This has important implications for the many companies who ask their employees to work in open-plan offices.

2. After the distractions are over people's performance returns to normal.
Yes, but...in real life there is no 'after'. At work, many people have emails arriving continuously, as well as phones going all around them. In a busy office this acts as an almost continuous distractor.

This study is not just telling you that distractors are distracting. It's telling you that a huge proportion of the workforce is working in conditions that are seriously detrimental to their performance.

Making Habits, Breaking Habits

In his new book, Jeremy Dean--psychologist and author of PsyBlog--looks at how habits work, why they are so hard to change, and how to break bad old cycles and develop new healthy, creative, happy habits.

→ "Making Habits, Breaking Habits", is available now on Amazon.

Reviews
The Bookseller, “Editor’s Pick,” 10/12/12 “Sensible and very readable…By far the most useful of this month’s New You offerings.”

Kirkus Reviews, 1/1/13 “Making changes does take longer than we may expect—no 30-day, 30-pounds-lighter quick fix—but by following the guidelines laid out by Dean, readers have a decent chance at establishing fulfilling, new patterns.”

Publishers Weekly, 12/10/12 “An accessible and informative guide for readers to take control of their lives.”

→ You can dip into the first chapter, or check it out on Amazon.com.