6 productivity hacks from the mind of a neuroscientist

There is no doubt in the fact that the hyper-busy world in which we live today does not promote analytical thinking though the average IQ of humans is on the rise. And, no matter if we spend more working hours at the office or work on more than one projects at a time, the productivity levels continue to fall. This is where the science of being more productive comes into the picture.

Einstein once said,” The whole science is nothing more than the refinement of our everyday thinking.” As the world tries to find new, and better ways to make human creed more productive, the neuroscientists think that the key to becoming more productive lies within the brain itself.

According to the neuro-scientists from Drexel University,” There are some very simple things we can all do to become more productive at work. And set the stage for out of the box thinking.”

Here is a look at what those simple things are -

1. Multitaskers don’t do well on any of the tasks; science says it

If you thought that multitasking is the standard need for a professional today, think again. Scientific studies have time and again proved that human brain is not made to multi-task. Chronic multitasking, as the neuroscientists call it, is a weakness not strength. In fact, taking more than one task at a time increases the chances of error manifolds. A study carried out at the University of Sussex reflected that constant multi-tasking might actually be harmful for the brain. And, at the same time, it lowers the quality of your work as well. So, focus on one task at a time and break all the barriers that stand in way of your productivity.

1. Music is the best medicine for being more productive

Studies have shown that ambient noise apparently gets our creative juices flowing. According to one of the professors at Stanford,”When it comes to music, humans have a special part of it. So, we can listen to music while we do other things.” Listening to music while working on some task does not qualify as multitasking or any distraction. Music is, in fact, processed by various parts of the brain and can help put us back if we are distracted from work. So, compile a list of your favorite tracks and add them to the playlist before you start to work on a task.

1. Being in a positive mood improves creativity

Science says that if you are happy at the start of the day, then you tend to stay positive and be more productive at work. According to Neuroscientist John Kounios, a professor of psychology at Drexel University “A good mood expands the scope of thought for you.” Positive mood enhances creativity and hence can work directly towards making you more productive at work. A bad mood, on the other hand, can make you weak and miserable. People who come to work in a bad mood tend to see a decline in their productivity of up to 10%. So, before you go to work, do something that refreshes your mood and helps you to stay in high spirits throughout the day.

1. Take ownership of your workspace

According to a study carried out in London in 2010, “When given the opportunity to arrange their workspace with plants and pictures of their choice, there was a 32% rise in the productivity level of the workers.” In fact, it has been seen in researches that by allowing workers to use pinboard to post their pictures and messages, businesses have seen the employees being more productive, as it gives them a better ownership of the space. After all, human brain tends to work far better in a homely environment as compared to a foreign workspace.

1. Color and light influence your productivity

Choosing the right color and lighting scheme can work towards improving your efficiency at whatever you do. Studies show that two of the most common colors in Mother Nature’s palette, i.e. restful green and calming blue, improve efficiency and focus. Lighting, similarly, has shown profound effect on improving creativity of the individuals. For instance, in a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology it was found that ‘environment with dim light, associated with feeling free, encourages superior creativity as well as idea generation.’ Similarly, when it came to analytical thinking, light levels which are bright proved to be of great effect. if you want to be more productive, surround yourself with positive colors at work.

1. Don’t mess with the ultradian rhythms of your body

Human functions are cyclic; i.e. they repeat after a certain period of time. An ultradian rhythm is a recurrent period or cycle repeated throughout a 24-hour circadian day. According to scientific studies, human brain can focus for 90 to 120 minutes before it needs a break. Human body follows this periodic pattern in sleep as well. A recent study showed that 52 consecutive minutes followed by a 17-minute break is the pattern followed by most productive people at work. In simple words, we can say that brain tires from repeated stress. Give your brain a break after short intervals, and don’t mess with the ultradian rhythms of your body.

Indulge in the science of being productive by implementing these tips at your workplace!

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