deepstash
Beta
Deepstash brings you key ideas from the most inspiring articles like this one:
Read more efficiently
Save what inspires you
Remember anything
8
Key Ideas
Save all ideas
Take a minute or two to sit in a comfortable position and breathe deeply into your stomach.
Let your body calm down before you approach your work. You’ll find it really helps you concentrate.
206 SAVES
540 READS
Take the time to identify what deserves your focus for the year, for the month, for the week, and for the day. Then look at your calendar and block time dedicated to focus.
161 SAVES
401 READS
If you need to focus, log out of email and social media. Log out for 30 minutes either at the beginning of the day or for a period in the afternoon. You won’t believe how much you can get done when you’re not always interrupting yourself to return emails.
140 SAVES
326 READS
It helps you focus on the day. While caffeine doesn’t improve learning or memory performance, Astrid Nehlig found it does increase physiological arousal, which makes you less apt to be distracted and better able to pay attention during a demanding task.
144 SAVES
290 READS
If it’s too hot or too cool in your work environment, it could impact your focus.
A study from Cornell University found that workers are most productive and make fewer errors in an environment that is somewhere between 68 and 77 degrees.
115 SAVES
252 READS
Too much background noise can be very distracting. According to some studies, having music playing helps you focus on your own thoughts. The catch? You have to like the song.
130 SAVES
297 READS
A study found that participants who were given short breaks during a 50-minute task performed better than those who worked straight through.
The study examines a phenomenon called “vigilance decrement,” or losing focus over time. Taking a short break in the middle of a long task reenergizes the brain.
151 SAVES
261 READS
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
10
Key Ideas
When we react to every little thing that comes up at work, we lose focus and attention.
Counter this by scheduling extra time to complete a task, engaging in single-tasking, and set...
Stress is unavoidable, but we can create systems to decrease its influence over our capacity to work. These systems vary from person to person but they often include meditation, aerobic exercise (i.e. running, cycling, walking), surrounding yourself in nature, and eating healthfully.
When you know an upcoming project will generate stress, anticipate scheduling periods into your work plan to participate in the stress management activities that work for you.
Memorization doesn’t necessarily mean learning. The test for whether you understand a subject or not is the capacity you have to explain your subject or argument.
6
Key Ideas
Listen from a place of curiosity, not generosity. True dialogue does not happen when we pretend to listen, and it certainly cannot happen if we are not listening at all.
If you ev...
Really listen to what someone else is trying to say.
We need information that is disconfirming, not confirming.
Ask more questions than you give answers.
When you ask questions, you create a safe space for other people to give you an unvarnished truth.
4
Key Ideas
When you are in a state of “flow” it is not good to take a break.
“Flow” is characterized by complete absorption in the task, seemingly effortless concentration, and pleasure in the task itself.
A “good break” will give that goal-oriented Prefrontal Cortex of yours a good rest by switching brain activity to another area.