4 — Guilty Mind
“I can resist everything except temptation.” — Oscar Wilde
Everyone knows where to start but many of us fail to understand where or how to stop. One of the hardest things a diligent worker or stressful mind (probably both) learns is when to put the pen down. Knowing when to stop begins with your “tell”, that is, the behaviour you exhibit when you’ve had enough. Do you, pick up your phone, open your inbox, make a coffee, or read the same sentence over and over again? Learn to recognise the point at which your mind needs a break. Knowing your limits offers you a distinct advantage but don’t confuse mental fatigue with lack of focus. Suffering from a severe image problem the inability to focus is an ailment we all catch at one point or another. I will not diverge into the realm of focus here but rather return to mental fatigue with some parting advice; do not run from focus, instead, lean into it.
I would like to make it abundantly clear that there is no shame in mental fatigue. Stemming from the inability to spend hours at maximum productivity we often find ourselves wallowing in guilt or shame (or both). This guilt is, however, misplaced. The brain is a hungry glucose gobbling monster, which similar to every other muscle in the body, requires rest. Don’t get excited about justifying your procrastination just yet (also a different kettle of fish). Stopping is far more than just coffee time every other hour. Stopping, despite what the name implies, does not necessarily mean you break form work entirely. There are three primary mechanisms for easing mental fatigue, (1) step away, (2) switching and (3) stand down.
Step Away
Fully step away from your work. Leave your desk. Close your work. Mentally disengage. I cannot emphasize how critical it is that you mentally disengage from work. If you do not stop consciously thinking about the work then it does not count as stopping. The most effective method for stepping away is physically removing yourself from the space. Yes, you can fist pump now, this means coffee, or a snack or even better, a walk in the park or around the block. Exercise is something we will swing back to later. I know I have said this but repetition, repetition, repetition (ironic, huh), you must mentally disengage from your work. So, I’ve given you the sugar and now from the salt; stepping away need only be a quarter hour. The suggested time ratio for work and rest is 45:15, that’s 45 minutes of work and 15 minutes rest. Although, this is a general rule and malleable to suit your personal needs.
Switching
Change it up when you’re feeling stale. In some instances, switching tasks is enough to boost your productivity for a little while longer. I find that the most effective form of switching involves going from a high complex task to a low complex one. For instance, when facing a block in my writing after an intense morning session I will sometimes switch to administrative tasks to give my mind a break. Switching can include the type of work, the project, or even work domains (e.g., personal versus work). It is difficult to maintain a solid level of intensity on a single task for long durations so maintain productivity be aware of how you can strategically use switching in combination with other tools mentioned here (e.g., environment, you can switch that too) to maximize your work.
Stand Down
The final strategy is ‘tools down’. This is similar to Step Away but rather than removing yourself for a short period of time it is the point at which you disengage for the day. In some ways, this is one of the most important skills you will learn and almost certainly one of the hardest. Working for longer doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting anything done. Don’t conflate length of practice with progress. Putting work away for the day (or days) is also a way we reward ourselves for a job well done.
