Overloaded Circuits: Why Smart People Underperform

Inflexiblity...distractibility...inner frenzy...impatience...at one time or another, we have all experienced these feelings during the work day. We may dismiss it as a temporary situation or distraction, but failure to recognize these signs and symptoms may overlook a more serious problem.

Attention deficit trait (ADT), has been introduced into the lexicon of the workplace. The author, EM Hallowell is a psychiatrist and founder of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health and the author of several books discussing this topic.

Treating thousands of patients for attention deficit disorder, Dr. Hallowell noted that many adults suffered from a similar condition, he coined ADT. He describes it as a gradual response to a hyperkinetic environment. As successive minor emergencies are experienced, the sufferer attempts to keep up with the pressure and not complain. This leads to a constant low level of panic and guilt.

"The most important step in controlling ADT is to create an environment in which the brain can function at its best." This means creating work environments where people do not work in physical isolation, taking physical care of your brain, and organize for ADT. The following suggestions provide a framework to control your ADT.

Control Your ADT-The following is taken from Dr. Hallowell's article.
General
Get adequate sleep

Watch what you eat. Avoid simple, sugary carbohydrates, moderate alcohol, add protein, add complex carbohydrates.

Exercise at least 30 minutes at least q.o.d.

Take a multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acid supplement

At Work

Do all you can to create a trusting, connected work environment.

Have a friendly, face-to-face talk with a person you like every 4-6 hours.

Break large tasks into smaller ones.

Keep a section of your work space or desk clear at all times.

Each day, reserver some "think time" that's free from appointments, e-mail, and phone calls.

Set aside e-mail until you've completed at least one or two more important tasks.

Before you leave work each day, create a short list of 3-5 items you will attend to the next day.

Try to act on, file, or toss every document you touch.

Don't let papers accumulate.

Pay attention to the times of day when you feel that you are at your best; do your most important work then, and save the rote work for other times.

Do whatever you need to do to work in a more focused way: Add background music, walk around, and so on.

Ask a colleague or an assistant to help you stop talking on the phone, e-mailing, or working too late.

When You Feel Overwhelmed
Slow down.

Do an easy rote task: Reset your watch, write a note about a neutral topic, read a few dictionary definitions, do a short crossword puzzle.

Move around: Go up and down a flight of stairs or walk briskly.

Ask for help, delegate a task, or brainstorm with a colleague. In short, do not worry alone.

Adapted from Hallowell EM. Harvard Business Review Jan 2005;55-62.

Paul K. Shitabata, M.D.

Reference:

Harvard Business Review Jan 2005; 55-62

Last Updated January 12, 2005