Siddharth Saoji 
In the modern workplace, instant messaging platforms like Slack, Teams, and other chat channels have become indispensable tools for communication. They promise seamless collaboration, immediate feedback, and a sense of connectedness among team members spread across different locations. However, there’s an insidious side to this constant connectivity that often goes unnoticed: it’s draining our productivity and leaving us exhausted by the end of the day.
The Dopamine Trap of Instant Responses
We’ve all felt the subtle pull to check our messages while working on something important. The anticipation of a new message, the thrill of instant feedback, and the satisfaction of promptly responding create a dopamine loop that’s hard to break. This habit isn’t just about staying informed; it’s a conditioned response that gives us a temporary high, reinforcing the need to keep checking our chats incessantly.
Breaking Focus and Fragmenting Time
Imagine you’re deeply engaged in drafting a crucial document. Suddenly, the urge strikes to peek at your chat channel. You succumb, only to find no new messages. You return to your task, but the seamless flow you once had is now disrupted. In the worst-case scenario, there is a new message requiring you to switch gears entirely — perhaps even necessitating research or pulling up additional documents. This constant toggling between tasks fractures our attention span, making it exponentially harder to regain focus each time.
The Illusion of Urgency
There’s a growing expectation in the workplace for immediate responses. While few of us are in roles where lives hang in the balance, the pressure to reply within minutes has become a cultural norm. This perceived urgency forces us into a reactive mode, prioritizing promptness over productivity. Yet, most issues can withstand a few hours’ delay without any significant repercussions.
The Real Cost: Productivity and Well-being
Frequent interruptions can turn a task that should take an hour into a day-long endeavor — or stretch it over several days. The cumulative effect is not just reduced productivity but also increased fatigue. By the end of such a fragmented day, we often find ourselves too drained to engage with our families, pursue hobbies, or do anything that requires meaningful attention. Instead, we might resort to passive activities like scrolling through social media or watching mindless TV, seeking to unwind from the mental clutter.
Weighing the Trade-offs
Playing devil’s advocate, one might argue that immediate responses prevent small issues from snowballing into larger problems, potentially saving time in the long run. While there’s some truth to this, the trade-off often isn’t worth the consistent drain on our focus and energy. Occasional calls or scheduled meetings for clarifications can be more efficient and less disruptive than constant monitoring of chat channels.
Rediscovering Deep Work
A truly productive day often involves dedicating uninterrupted time to high-priority tasks, especially in the morning when our cognitive resources are at their peak. By setting boundaries on when we check messages, we can preserve our mental energy for what truly matters. Allowing ourselves the space to focus deeply not only enhances the quality of our work but also leaves us with more energy to enjoy life outside of it.
Parting thought
In a world that glorifies instant communication, it’s worth questioning whether the benefits truly outweigh the costs. Recognise that we’ve primarily discussed work-related chats, personal messaging platforms like WhatsApp and iMessage also exert their own pull, adding to our daily cognitive load.
By becoming more mindful of our habits and the expectations we set for ourselves and others, we can reclaim our focus, boost our productivity, and improve our overall well-being. After all, constant connectivity shouldn’t come at the expense of meaningful work and a fulfilling life.