Performance Matters - Digital Experiences - 31

PERFORMANCE MATTERS / PG 31
specifically to capture our attention in
myriad ways. At the same time, we are
witnessing transformational advances in
data science that promise to use data
extracted from our computer-mediated
work to improve our ability to focus.
While the promise is real, the science
tells us, " Buyer, beware. " Understanding
deep work is not a problem to be
left entirely
to
data scientists
and
software developers; it also requires the
concerted effort of human performance
experts and engaged stakeholders. (To
dig deeper into how to assess the digital
employee experience, go to page 8.)
Achieving deep
work, online
Here are some tips for promoting deep
work in a remote working world:
1. Manage attention. Many seek to
improve time management skills,
but if we explore this further, often
attention management is what's
lacking. When our time is spent in a
virtual environment designed for bitesized
experiences, the constant pull
from focused attention often results
in a loss of meaningful deep work.
Attention takes energy for our brain
to maintain, so manage " focus time "
on an important task like a
nonrenewable resource. Also, give
yourself breaks from deep work to
allow your brain to refuel.
2. Cultivate self-awareness. Whether
we think of self-awareness as
introspection or mindfulness, it is the
cognitive counterpart to the behavior
of setting good goals. We need selfawareness
to recognize and dismiss
those ever-present distractions in
the virtual work environment. It's one
thing to set a personal deadline; it's
another to recognize the difference
between taking a well-needed break
versus indulging an easy distraction.
3. Take the long view. Work for many
has been completely disrupted
by the technologies that promise
both to enable and improve virtual
engagement. While the upside
promise is undeniable, we shouldn't
let new technology blind us to what
we already know: to realize this
promise, we must also understand
the psychological and physiological
issues that impact human
performance and engagement.
about the authors
Teresa Evans, PhD, is a Principal at TiER1 Performance
with
experiences
spanning
clinical
research,
life
science commercialization, entrepreneurship, leadership,
professional development, and STEM education. Teresa
is passionate about leveraging her diverse background
to help others achieve their goals, particularly in the life
sciences, healthcare, and military medical fields. Her
prior published research catalyzed a conversation about
mental health in graduate education.
Walter Warwick, PhD, is a Principal at TiER1 Performance
who has deep experience developing computational
models of cognition and human performance. Walter
seeks to understand and improve the methods used by
computational modelers to create, validate,
and
communicate the workings of their models. His research
contributions span over two decades from computational
cognitive modeling and cognitive performance to human
cyber behavior and much more.
Like these insights and want to learn more tips for
achieving flow at work? Go to page 26.
https://tier1performance.com/author/t-evans/ https://tier1performance.com/author/w-warwick/
Performance Matters - Digital Experiences

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