If you’ve ever clicked your fingers while you count to 50, you’ll know it’s pretty straightforward. Each time you click your fingers, incrementally increase the number until you reach 50. The quicker you click your fingers, the quicker you get to 50.
But what else was happening around you? Did you notice you got an email? Was that a knock at the door? You get the idea – the task at hand took your attention away from your surroundings.
Now, try clicking your fingers, and alternating between counting up to 50 and reciting the letters of the alphabet; For example, 1, A, 2, B, and so on. How did you get on?
Cognitive load suggests you’d be doing well to get past G.
Before you add to the task, it pays to find out where your attention is currently.