Urgent! Wait. What?

Colleagues,
​
“Fields back in the shotgun. He looks over the defense. This is a big third down and… wait. What? The quarterback has his cell phone out and he seems to be… texting?!?”
 
Young William’s brow furrows in concentration as he composes his masterpiece. “To be, or not to be, that…” He pauses as his vibrating phone signals breaking news. Later he wonders, “What was the question?”
 
Ayshe takes a final deep breath. “That is why, ladies and gentlemen, today we are unveiling… wait…” Pulls out cell phone and mumbles to self, “three new guitar tabs just dropped... awesome!” Returning gaze to crowd, “What was I saying?”
 
Are any of these scenarios reasonable? 
 
**Wait time for reflection**

No, because they disrupt very important work. They insert quadrant 3 into quadrant 2.
 
I have been reflecting a lot on my productivity recently, so I asked myself, “If these disruptions aren’t reasonable for the people above, why are they reasonable for me?”

1. When has a news alert improved my thinking?
2. When have my hobby app notifications inspired my creativity?
3. When has a text message helped me to be more present for the person I’m with?

​
Yes, many times I need to be available and “on call,” but not all the time. I rarely need news, app, or other notifications in the middle of my workday.
 
Alerts create false urgency and move me into quadrant 3. I cannot be in quadrant 2 when I am in quadrant 3.
 
What about you?
 
Do good and be well,
 
Frederick