Are you busy?
It feels almost unnatural to think of answering ‘no’, and it is this which Ian Price, a former telecoms CEO and now business psychologist, explores in his excellent book called The Activity Illusion.
Ian’s main thesis is that we are driving ourselves to distraction through technology, and that this is hitting productivity. I agree, but would go much further. I think distraction impacts mental health too.
Which further impacts performance.
I have been speaking to Ian about ACT, and how I think it’s essential to help people cope with information overload. Without some means of dealing with intrusive thoughts and the uncomfortable emotions they can provoke, all we are left with is a bunch of time management strategies and some vague promises not to copy too many people into our e-mails. Oh and the perennial favourite, employee engagement.
Ian is interested. He is even showing interest in including elements of ACT it in his training. Another sign that the business world is beginning to see the extent of the opportunity here.
To give you a flavour of his style, have a look at his talk at the Ted x Granta event earlier this year.
Working with ACT 