Poor consideration spans are inflicting riffs for a 3rd of Brits’ households
A recent study of 2,000 adults has revealed that individuals can only sustain focus during a chat with their partner for 19 minutes and 17 seconds, while in a work meeting, this dwindles to 17 minutes and 36 seconds.
Financial tasks, often postponed or dodged due to being perceived as dull or challenging, can capture our attention for 19 minutes and 49 seconds, while work tasks can hold us engrossed for 20 minutes and 40 seconds.
The survey also highlighted that 14% of participants procrastinate when it comes to checking their pension and reviewing their monthly budget, while 11% delay setting up a savings account. Over a third (36%) of those polled confessed their attention span has worsened in recent years.
Almost half (49%) of 18 to 24 year olds confess they lose concentration on a task in under a minute, compared to a mere 7% of those aged 65 and older. Moreover, 18% of the younger demographic have postponed checking their pension status, compared to just 2% of over 65s.
The poll also unveiled that when interest fades, 39% of respondents feel driven to check their phones, 45% flip between tasks, and 42% permit themselves to daydream.
The research also found 34% have had an argument with a partner about attention spans.
A recent study, part of the Pension Attention campaign and commissioned by Nest, has uncovered that a whopping 50% of folks reckon their short attention span is down to feeling knackered, while 40% reckon it’s stress doing their heads in.
Gavin Perera-Betts, the top dog for customer service at the pension company, said: “Constant notifications, social media, and instant access to information can impact our ability to concentrate for extended periods.”
“However, it’s not just technology to blame – stress and fatigue also play a significant role. When we’re tired or stressed, we struggle to maintain concentration, making it even harder to stay focused on a single task.”
(Image: SWNS)
Even relatively simple but important tasks, like reviewing your budget or checking your pension is on track can be delayed due to a lack of attention. While we can’t take away all stress and fatigue, we can make checking your pension is on track simple and easy – there are three simple steps on our website you can follow.”
The research also spilled the beans that 35% of people who feel their attention span isn’t what it used to be are pointing the finger at their smartphones.
A good half of these individuals are trying to buck up their ideas by eavesdropping on other people’s chinwags, and 43% are hitting the pavement or the gym more often to beef up their brainpower.
Gavin Perera-Betts from Nest, which has recently rolled out a slick mobile app to make pension management a breeze, raved about the importance of user-friendly technology: “Technology is deeply embedded in our daily lives – that’s why it’s crucial for technology to be designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind.”
Riffing on how easy-peasy tech can spruce up the mundane, he added: “Simple tech, like a mobile app, can make paying attention to important things like your pension, simple and straightforward.”
Keen to highlight the zen vibe of minimalist tech, Gavin continued: “When tech is intuitive and less cluttered, it can reduce mental overload, helping users stay focused and preventing their minds from wandering.”
BRITS’ AVERAGE ATTENTION SPAN:
- A conversation with their partner – 19 minutes and 17 seconds
- Playing with their children – 20 minutes and six seconds
- Having sex – 19 minutes and 27 seconds
- Chatting to a friend – 20 minutes and four seconds
- In a work meeting – 17 minutes and 36 seconds
- Writing an email – 13 minutes and three seconds
- Writing a text – 11 minutes and 41 seconds
- Tidying the house – 20 minutes and 20 seconds
- Driving – 26 minutes and 10 seconds
- A task at work – 20 minutes and 40 seconds
- Sorting out finances – 19 minutes and 49 seconds
- Reading a book – 22 minutes and 34 seconds
- Watching a movie – 25 minutes and 12 seconds
- Watching a video online – 17 minutes and six seconds
- Watching sports – 21 minutes and 57 seconds
- Listening to a podcast – 19 minutes and 16 seconds
- Working out – 20 minutes and 57 seconds
