Attention Spans Are Getting Shorter

We'll make this quick.

Finding yourself easily distracted by shiny objects?

You're not alone.

A new study from Microsoft shows that our attention spans are rapidly dropping. Researchers surveyed more than 2,000 Canadians and monitored the brain activity of 112 people to come to their conclusion. They found the Canadian attention span has dropped from an average of 12 seconds in 2000 to just eight seconds today. That's sad when you consider the attention span of the average goldfish is believed to be nine seconds.

Researchers note, "Canadians with more digital lifestyles... struggle to focus in environments where prolonged attention is needed." Overall, 44 percent of survey respondents said they struggle to focus on tasks, and 37 percent admitted their inability to use time well forces them to work late or on the weekends.