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Your Brain Is On Autopilot More Than You Think-Here's How To Wake It Up
About Monday
Monday is a fresh start, a clean slate after the weekend. Our brains are better primed to make decisions on Monday.
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SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
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Key Ideas
Switching between tasks
Most of us spend our days jumping between tasks and tools.
In fact, most people average only 3 minutes on any given task before switching to something else (and only 2 minutes on a di...
Task switching and focus
Taking on additional tasks simultaneously can destroy up to 80% of your productive time:
- Focusing on one task at a time = 100% of your productive time available.
- Juggling two tasks at a time = 40% of your productive time for each and 20% lost to context switching.
- Juggling three tasks at a time = 20% of your productive time for each and 40% lost to context switching.
A schedule for sustained attention
- Large chunks of focused “flow” time for more demanding projects.
- “Themed” days to reduce the need to recalibrate between different tasks.
- Advanced planning so you can prioritize meaningful work.
- Realistic time set aside for admin, communication, and meetings.
- Clear expectations for your teammates so they know when not to interrupt you.
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Key Ideas
No One Likes Mondays
Various studies have documented the Monday Blues, which essentially is an imposition on the working person, a loss of freedom coupled with the arrival of work-related stress.
Counter The Monday Blues: An Early Start
- Prepare mentally, physically and logistically for Monday in advance, to decrease the dread of unknown problems or tasks.
- It is helpful to have sound sleep on Sunday, with the alcohol consumption minimized.
- It is extremely beneficial to get to work early on a Monday, getting a headstart on things.
- Plan ahead for the week with something to look forward to, maybe on the coming Friday.
Manage Your Mondays Like A Pro
- A special Monday treat, casual dress day, or a pizza day for the entire team can be something to look forward to. Even not cooking that day, or a workout class can bring a creative break to the stressful routine.
- Focusing on your thoughts and feelings helps you absorb the negativity and understand how to steer the mind towards a solution.
- Less social media surfing during weekends also contributes to your positive mental outlook, as the feeds are mostly negative or provocative.
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Key Ideas
Decision-making errors
Most decision-making errors boil down to:
- logical fallacies (over-generalizations, comparing apples and oranges, circular thinking)
- limiting beliefs (underes...
Confirmation Bias
If you already have an opinion about something before you've even tried to figure it out, chances are you'll over-value information that confirms that opinion.
Think about what kinds of information you would expect to find to support alternative outcomes.
Attribution Bias
The “fundamental attribution error,” is when we excuse our own mistakes but blame other people for theirs.
Give other people the chance to explain themselves before judging their behavior.