I look at the clock. 1:37 p.m.

Ok, I think to myself, I’m not going to check for new emails or look at my phone for eight minutes.

1:39 p.m. I brush my mouse past my inbox to see if the familiar “new message” tag pops up. I cringe at my lack of will power. Brush it off. Stay strong, I tell myself.

2 p.m. My phone vibrates and I hear a ‘ding’ in my headphones. I have an email. Another two vibrations. I have a text message.

2:01 p.m. Sweat breaks out on my forehead.

2:02 p.m. As if self-guided, my right hand glides across my mouse pad, clicking on my inbox, while my left hand picks up my phone and taps the necessary icons to open my texts. I read both messages simultaneously.

2:03 p.m. Fail.

I’ve always been easily distracted. But recently—ok, since I purchased an iPhone three weeks ago—it has become kind of a problem.

I thought constant access to information and contact with my colleagues would empower me to accomplish tasks with lightning speed.

Instead, I stop what I’m working on five or six times an hour to address less important matters (in the course of writing this blog post I wrote five emails and sent six text messages). Each time it takes me several minutes to get back up to speed. And several times a day, I find myself staring at my computer screen, wondering why I had opened my Internet browser.

In short, I can’t focus.

I did a little research and found I’m not the only one challenged by techno-sensory overload.

In December 2009, American Scientist published this article about a study, regarding undergraduates who thought themselves to be master multitaskers. The results were surprising: Prolonged stimulation actually makes you less able to filter out irrelevant information and focus on the task at hand. Heavy multitaskers also have greater difficulty switching between tasks.

Ok, I recognize I have a problem. Now what?

After a short search I found several blog posts with hints for reclaiming your efficiency. Tips like making a to-do list, starting your day with your most important task and even meditation can help.

However, I think the real answer is probably the most painful and obvious one: Power down.

So, in advance, I’d like to apologize to my co-workers, loved ones, and anyone else who has grown accustomed to receiving an instant response from me.

I’m going to turn off my phone. Close my email. And take two Tylenol to calm the withdrawal shakes. I’ve got work to do.