Mindful work and mindful technology: Redressing digital distraction in knowledge work

Abstract

Knowledge work today is characterized by frequent interruptions. Digital distraction plays an increasingly important role in this work context as workers' behavior and emotional state online spills into work practices, causing stress and productivity loss. This article discusses solutions to digital distraction by advancing the concepts of mindful work and mindful technology. In doing so, it first critiques the design of prevalent productivity tools (i.e., “block-and-avoid tools”) that avoid the problem rather than remediating it. We argue that mindfulness is particularly applicable to handling digital distraction and propose a two-part framework for mindful work and mindful design through which workers can learn to work with technology — and their emotions — in more constructive ways. Lastly, we expand on our mindful work framework by proposing the concept of an intelligent personal assistant.