I have been catching up on my reading lately and have come across some great articles. Today’s blog is all about.
“Why the Modern World Is Bad for Your Brain” which is an article by neuroscientist, Dr Gabija Toleikyte.
In this day and age many of us are continually jumping from one task to another both at work and at home as we try to finish everything on our To Do lists. When we jump back and forth too much, according to Dr. Toleikyte, the brain’s attention systems will find it harder to focus, which has an impact on productivity. Dr. Tolekyte has a number of things you can do to help your brain be more productive. Here are some of her thoughts:
Take regular breaks
Okay, hands up how many of you do that? I thought so…not many. Dr. Tolekyte tells us that when we are tired and stressed the nutrients that are usually delivered to the brain shift to the most vital organs. “This leaves out more sophistic brain networks, such as the ones involved in creative ideas, sound decisions making or learning new information…and means our performance decline.”
Take frequent breaks (10 minutes for every hour) While taking a 10 minute break every hour seems foreign to most people, you will be more effective. Also work the most difficult tasks in the morning when your brain is most energetic.
Stop Multitasking
There is more information emerging that our brains are not maid for multitasking. In actual fact when we think we are multitasking we are merely quickly switching from one task to another. According to Dr. Tolekyte, “That has three consequences, we waste a lot of time, we are more likely to make mistakes and we become stressed more easily.” So the time we think we are saving by multitasking we lose when we have to do the work over again because it is not as good as it should be. If you do insist on multitasking, find yourselves a good editor or proofreader before you submit the project.
Break Tasks Into Small Steps
Large tasks can be overwhelming, so split up the different elements of the task and attack them one at a time. Work for 15 or 20 minutes without interruption. Don’t take any phone calls or be available to other staff during this time. Yes, this can be hard in many jobs, so put a note on your office door or tell others that you are not available for the next few minutes and switch off the phone (including your cell). You may find that you are more productive once you get into the habit.
A tip of the glass from me to you
E Column
by Elizabeth “E” Slater, In Short Direct Marketing
A recognized expert in the fields of direct marketing and sales in the wine marketplace. Slater has taught more wineries and winery associations how to create and improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing programs and to make the most of each customer’s potential than anyone in the wine industry today.
Follow E on twitter @esavant and facebook.
