3 features of the brain that interfere with our productivity
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
Productivity is an important characteristic of a successful person, but it is not so easy to achieve. We are constantly distracted workers and domestic affairs, notifications on your smartphone, software updates, new messages.
At the same time studies showThe Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and StressThat after diverting a person takes an average of about 23 minutes to once again plunge into the job. It's a few hours of wasted time per week.
Surprisingly, the cause of such temporary expenses are some of the properties of our brain.
1. Tendency to action
The human brain is designed so that it almost always want to perform some action. Monotone and stretched in time the problem forced him to miss. Therefore, we leaf through the Twitter feed, while watching soap operas, and corresponded with friends during the meeting.
But the constant switching between tasks harms effective work. How to findMultitasking: Switching costs scientists, multitasking reduces productivity by about 40%.
This is one of the forms
procrastination. Encountering obstacles such as complicated or boring work, we often switch to something less sad. It improves mood, but the original task and remains unfulfilled, and we will soon begin to feel more and blame for their own unproductive.How to resist
The first step - to recognize the problem. This will help to see the big picture and reduce stress. Procrastination merely a reflex of the brain, and blame themselves for it makes no sense.
The second step - to begin the task. Optionally it to finish or even significantly advance in its implementation. The very fact that you have begun to act, give motivation continue.
2. Limited willpower
It seems that for the timely implementation of all cases need willpower. This is partly true, but the number of self-control, which is allocated to us on the day, is not infinite.
Ignore intrusive notification smartphone and a desire to distract the brain easily, only the first few hours. Few people can survive in this mode until the evening. On self-discipline, work and all the little things that have to carry the day, expended energy, and it is limited.
How to resist
To force recovered and was enough for the day, you need to get enough sleep. It is also well suited meditation: It increases concentration and helps to better understand yourself.
But the most effective way - to get rid of temptation. Disable all the useless gadgets notification, leave the house only healthy foods, reduce irritants during operation to a minimum.
3. Dependence on hormones
Another mechanism of the brain, interfering with efficient operation - its dependence on dopamine and oxytocin. Dopamine - a hormone that causes a feeling of satisfaction. Stimulate its production may be many activities, including the acquisition of new information.
That is why we always want to check the tape social networks. All of these events in the life of unfamiliar people and ridiculous pictures perceived by the brain as something new, so they are fun.
Oxytocin - a hormone that causes a feeling of confidence and social acceptance. Social networks affect its production through comments, likes, and retweets repost. Every time we see that someone liked our post, we perceive it as a strengthening of social relations, and it becomes a pleasure.
How to resist
As is the case with the power of the will, the easiest option - disable useless notification time. You can also use the applications that block non-productive services and sites, such as Freedom.
The other way - most often to communicate with people in reality, it is best to family and friends. Socialization also causes the production of oxytocin. BUT dopamine can be obtained by consuming more useful information than the posts in social networks. Read books related to your professional field. Unsubscribe from all online but you really need accounts and pages.
The more hormones you will receive from the efficiencies in real life, the less will be checking social networks.
see also🧐
- How to stop distracted every 5 minutes and concentrate on the important tasks
- 50 golden tips to increase productivity
- How not blame yourself if you are unproductive