According to Manhattan neuroscientist Josh Davis<\/a>, the answer is not to get more done faster, but rather to create the conditions for at least two awesome hours of peak productivity each day.\u00a0<\/strong>Drawing on research, Davis explains that our minds operate according to complex factors that, when leveraged the right way, can make us truly effective.<\/p>\n Here are five deceptively simple strategies from Davis to create the conditions for incredible productivity and to restore sanity and balance to your life:<\/p>\n Maximize the moments in your day when you are between tasks, intentionally choosing what to tackle next.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong><\/span>Once you start a task, you run largely on autopilot, which makes it hard to change course. Maximize the power of those moments in between tasks\u2014that\u2019s when you can choose what to take on next, and can, therefore, decide to tackle what matters most.<\/p>\n Problem:<\/strong> We operate on autopilot most of the day! Not a bad view from the cockpit. But, not very productive either.<\/strong><\/p>\n Neuroscience reveals we are cognitive misers, looking for the easy route.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Solution:\u00a0<\/strong>We need reminders to snap out of autopilot and focus on the important stuff.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where decision points come in. They are transitional moments when we move from one task to another and can choose to attack the important or be carried along by the flotsam and jetsam of the day.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n When do decision points occur?<\/strong><\/p>\n These decision points can lead to hours of productive work!<\/p>\n What do you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n Recognize them.<\/strong> And instead of plunging back into work \u2013 angry you have been interrupted or that the barista was slow \u2013 keep in mind that moving ahead without thinking is wasteful while taking time to consider the next task carefully is actually productive, not wasteful.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Schedule tasks based on your cognitive and emotional demands.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong><\/span>Tasks that need a lot of self-control or focused attention can be depleting, and tasks that make you highly emotional can throw you off your game. Schedule tasks based on their processing demand and recovery time.<\/strong><\/p>\n Problem: We don\u2019t have the same energy all day long. <\/strong><\/p>\n We suffer from decision fatigue<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Solution:\u00a0Schedule tasks based on their processing demand and recovery time.<\/strong><\/p>\n Read: 8 Ways to Combat Decision Fatigue<\/a><\/p>\n Learn how to direct your attention.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong><\/span>Learn to direct your attention. Your attention systems are designed to wander and refresh, not to focus indefinitely. Trying to fight that is like trying to fight the ocean tides. Understanding how your brain works will help you get back on track quickly and effectively when you get distracted.<\/strong><\/p>\n Problem: Your energy can be sapped by trying to fight distractions.<\/strong><\/p>\n Your instinct will be to ignore these distractions and stay the course, keeping on with the task at hand.<\/p>\n Solution: Consider distractions a good thing, a chance to let your mind wander.<\/strong><\/p>\n Let your mind wander. It helps us come up with creative solutions or planning \u2013 we can sort out what needs to be done in the future. A lot of important stuff happens while we let our mind wander. You can come back to work in a few minutes, refreshed.<\/p>\n Breathe as well as feed and move your body for short-term benefit.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong>Use your breath to calm your nervous system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong>Feed your body by eating in ways that set you up for success.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong><\/span>Move your body.<\/p>\n There are not only short term but also long term benefits to breathing deeply, eating in a way that fuels your body as well as exercising and moving your body. They all improve your concentration immediately by relaxing you and your nervous system, and the long-term benefits are immeasurable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Notice the common theme? Deep breaths and exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n Breathing deeply, consuming nutritious foods as well as exercising and moving your body will have a positive impact on your mental state of mind and improve concentration.<\/p>\n Read about: Julie Down, Retreats for Learning to Live Authentically<\/a><\/p>\n Identify how your environment affects your focus and alertness.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2192<\/strong><\/span>Learn what environmental factors help you be on top of your game\u2014and how to adjust your environment accordingly. Once you know what distracts you or what primes your brain to be in creating or risk-taking modes, you can change your environment for productivity.<\/p>\n Problem:\u00a0Clutter is just distraction \u2013 and not a\u00a0good distraction since it\u2019s a reminder of work uncompleted.<\/strong><\/p>\n Solution: Make your workspace work for you. In particular, keep your desk and computer desktop clean.<\/strong><\/p>\n Read:\u00a0How Clutter Affects Your Brain (and What You Can Do About It)<\/a> Article Credit: From MariaShriver.com, 5 Simple, Science-Based Strategies to Make You Incredibly Productive<\/a>, PsychCentral,\u00a06 Ways to Stress Less at Work<\/a>, The Globe and Mail,\u00a0Brainy tips to boost productivity<\/a>\u00a0and Julie Down, Living Authentically<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get back to work, and you\u2019ll be more efficient!<\/p>\n We\u2019re listening.<\/p>\n Share and comment!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Do you find yourself rushing, multitasking\u00a0or relying on smartphones and apps to get more done in your day?\u00a0According to Josh Davis, Ph.D., we\u2019re…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":11768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[474,851,869],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-productivity","category-social-media-minute","category-workload-wednesday"],"yoast_head":"\n1 –\u00a0<\/strong>Recognize your decision points<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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2 –\u00a0<\/strong>Manage your mental energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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3 – Stop fighting distractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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4 –\u00a0Strengthen<\/strong>\u00a0your mind\u2013body connection<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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5 –\u00a0<\/strong>Make your workspace work for you<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n___<\/p>\nNow it\u2019s your turn\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n