Everyone has a lot to do. Everyone also has many things clamoring for their attention. The world today is filled with distractions of all sorts. For many, this is a big issue. Distractions keep us from moving on to the next item on the to-do list or make it hard to get work done. However, there are hidden benefits of distraction.
Not everyone is task oriented. Some people have to learn to concentrate since it doesn't come naturally. In order to focus, one person may need quiet space. Another needs to be left completely alone with no distractions in order to accomplish anything of substance. For these people, interruptions are irritating and frustrating. Trying to work in an area with many cubicles might be too loud. Paying bills at the kitchen table might be impossible with children asking for help and snacks every few minutes. Closing the office door could be the only way for a writer to get out one more chapter. People are sensitive to the world and most of us find too much sensory input distracting. However, it turns out that some of the most creative people in the world allow the very sensory input most of us are avoiding.
Most don't know this because it doesn't seem to make sense on the surface. Recent research has shown that the most creative people have less effective sensory gating than the rest of us. This means that they don't close off the world to work, but rather sit in the middle of it. People who have real-world creative achievements tend to engage in a cognitive process that collects and distills the information around them. People are sensitive to the world. When they embrace that rather than blocking it, they notice more. This gives them more information, allowing them to create more. Disengaging from extreme focus and allowing interruptions from the world around you may lead to more high quality work.
No matter the results of this recent research, some tasks will take concentration to accomplish. However, real-world creative achievements may come from a different place. Loosening up the sensory gating to welcome the occasional distraction or interruption helps to spur ideas and unique solutions to problems. While you may need to learn to concentrate to actually execute your plans, you might need something different entirely to come up with them. When you notice more, you can create more. Try working or studying outside your usual environment to see if you can benefit from the conclusions of these recent studies.