A
Exactly—what you're describing is attention residue, a term popularized by Dr. Sophie Leroy, a researcher in organizational behavior. Her studies show that when you switch tasks—especially if the first task is unfinished or unresolved—your brain doesn’t completely let go. A part of your cognitive resources remains tied to that previous task, leaving you less focused, slower, and more error-prone on the new one.
🔁 Here's the core idea:
When you shift from Task A to Task B:
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Your attention doesn't fully transfer.
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There's a residue of Task A lingering in your mind.
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This makes Task B harder to perform at your best.
🧠 Why it matters:
In today’s world of multitasking and constant notifications, we’re often in a half-engaged state. That “one foot in, one foot out” feeling you mentioned? That’s attention residue in action. It creates a sense of mental clutter and makes deep, focused work nearly impossible.
🔑 Quick Tips to Reduce Attention Residue:
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Batch similar tasks (email time vs. creative time).
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Set buffer periods between tasks to mentally reset.
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Use “shutdown rituals” to close one task before moving on.
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Avoid multitasking, especially between cognitively demanding work.
Want help building a daily workflow that reduces cognitive switching costs?
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