This new notion of adaptive unconsciousness is thought of instead, as a kind of giant computer that quickly and quietly processes a lot of the data we need in order to keep functioning as human beings.The power of adaptive unconsciousness, high-level sophisticated thinking to the unconsciousness.

ADAPTIVE UNCONSCIOUSNESS

We live in a world that assumes that the quality of a decision is directly related to the time and effort that went into making it.

TIME and QUALITY

... decisions made very quickly can very bit as good as decisions made cautiously and deliberately.

The 1st task of BLINK

Our unconscious is a powerful force, but it is fallible...it can be thrown off, distracted, and disabled.

Reminder

So, when should we trust our instinct, and when should we be wary of them?

The 2nd task of BLINK

<ul><li>Our snap judgments and first impressions can be educated and controlled.</li><li>Our snap judgments can be made in a snap because they are frugal, and id we want to protect our snap judgments, we have to take steps to protect that frugality.</li></ul>

SNAP

The power of knowing, in that first two seconds, is not a gift given magically to a fortunate few. It is an ability that we can all cultivate for ourselves.

The power of KNOWING

... there can be value in a blink of an eye

"Thin-slicing refers to the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behavior based on very narrow slices of experience."<ul><li>but thin-slicing has to be done in context</li></ul>

THIN-SLICING

<ul><li>defensiveness</li><li>stonewalling</li><li>criticism</li><li>contempt</li></ul>Contempt is closely related to disgust, and what disgust and contempt are about is completely rejecting and excluding from the community.

The FOUR Horsemen

WOMEN ARE MORE CRITICAL AND MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO STONEWALL.

Women and Men

<ol><li>Extraversion</li><li>Agreeableness</li><li>Emotional Stability</li><li>Conscientiousness</li><li>Openness to experience</li></ol>*for more detailed information about this, go to page 34 of the book BLINK

BIG FIVE THEORY

We need to respect the fact that it is possible to know without knowing why we know and accept that - sometimes - we're better off that way.

Know without Knowing

We have, as human beings, a storytelling problem. We're a bit too quick to come up with explanations for things we don't really have ab explanation for.

Human Storytelling

We learn by example and by  direct experience because there are real limits to the adequacy of verbal instructions.

Notes:

The IAT was devised by Anthony G. Greenwald, Mahzarian Banaji, and Brian Nosek, and it is based on a seemingly obvious but nonetheless quite profound observation.

Implicit Association Test

<ul><li>... just because something is outside of awareness doesn't mean it's outside of our control...</li><li>... truly successful decision-making relies on the balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.</li><li>... in a good decision-making frugality matters.</li><li>for the most important decisions, there is no certainty</li></ul>

The product is the package and the product combined.

Product

"What once was ugly has become beautiful.

"AERON" office chair

<ul><li>All of us gravitate towards things that mean something to us, for most of us, that's people. But if people don't anchor meaning for you, then you seek something that does."</li><li>Our mind, faced with life-threatening situations, drastically limits the range and amount of information that we have to deal with.</li><li>Arousal leaves us mind-blind.</li></ul>

Something to Remember

... the only true way to listen is with your ears and your heart.

The last idea

This book is very complex for me. It is different. I highly recommend for you to read the whole book. There are so much stories and information served into bits for easier comprehension. You never know what you'll learn from BLINK.

From the #1 bestselling author of The Bomber Mafia, the landmark book that has revolutionized the way we understand leadership and decision making. In his breakthrough bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant--in the blink of an eye--that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work--in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others? In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing"--filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables.

productivity

Productivity

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

books

Books

From the #1 bestselling author of The Bomber Mafia, the landmark book that has revolutionized the way we understand leadership and decision making. In his breakthrough bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Now, in Blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant--in the blink of an eye--that actually aren't as simple as they seem. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept? Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work--in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen, and in the bedroom? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others? In Blink we meet the psychologist who has learned to predict whether a marriage will last, based on a few minutes of observing a couple; the tennis coach who knows when a player will double-fault before the racket even makes contact with the ball; the antiquities experts who recognize a fake at a glance. Here, too, are great failures of "blink": the election of Warren Harding; "New Coke"; and the shooting of Amadou Diallo by police. Blink reveals that great decision makers aren't those who process the most information or spend the most time deliberating, but those who have perfected the art of "thin-slicing"--filtering the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number of variables.

Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers—The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. He is also the co-founder of Pushkin Industries, an audio content company that produces the podcasts Revisionist History, which reconsiders things both overlooked and misunderstood, and Broken Record, where he, Rick Rubin, and Bruce Headlam interview musicians across a wide range of genres. Gladwell has been included in the TIME 100 Most Influential People list and touted as one of Foreign Policy's Top Global Thinkers.

Malcolm Gladwell

Blink

You may view it as a point of pride to always arrive at meetings five to ten minutes early. However, those minutes add up. You could be over-preparing and losing precious hours in your week.Consider redirecting that time toward projects that are waiting for your attention. Try being right on time—or even five minutes late—to some of your meetings. With the time you gain back, you can start planning the project you wish to start.

Don't arrive early for meetings

There are certain instances in which adding more meetings will help you accomplish the work. To tackle your nagging projects, identify accountability partners and schedule regular check-ins with them.A couple of 30-minute meetings during the week with a partner can provide you with accountability, a new viewpoint, or a means to delegate some of the work you’ve outlined. Some leaders can accomplish more if their calendars are full, because the full calendar forces them to act efficiently. This approach, while hard to sustain long-term, is perfect for short bursts of work.

Add more to your calendar

How can you layer work and tackle nagging projects while you’re objectively engaged in something else?<ul><li>For example, when you’re exercising, could you speak through the talking points of an upcoming presentation and record yourself? Later, transcribe your audio. </li><li>Or, if you want to squeeze in some extra reading, try listening to an audiobook while taking a walk.</li></ul>Consider where you can layer work and use your time more effectively to accomplish meaningful projects.

Layer your activities

Look at all of the work you need to accomplish. What is not a short-term priority? Where can you cut corners? Consider: What are your essential projects and your “nice-to-have” projects? For the tasks you deem imperative, determine your “good enough.” Weigh the value of more time dedicated to a project versus the impact that spending extra time will take on your team’s morale.

Determine your "good enough"

We all have those things on our to-do list that just never get crossed off. Here’s how to change that.


problemsolving

Problem Solving

timemanagement

Time Management

4 counterintuitive strategies to finally tackle those nagging projects

Playing certain types of games can help you get better at concentrating. Try:<ul><li>sudoku</li><li>crossword puzzles</li><li>chess</li><li>jigsaw puzzles</li><li>word searches or scrambles</li><li> memory games </li></ul>Brain training games can also help you develop your working and short-term memory, as well as your processing and problem-solving skills.

1. Train your brain

Sleep deprivation can easily disrupt concentration, not to mention other cognitive functions, such as memory and attention.Occasional sleep deprivation may not cause too many problems for you. But regularly failing to get a good night’s sleep can affect your mood and performance at work.Many experts recommend adults aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

2. Improve sleep

Improving the sleep you do get can also have benefit. A few quick tips:<ul><li>Turn off the TV and put away screens an hour before bed.</li><li>Keep your room at a comfortable but cool temperature.</li><li>Wind down before bed with soft music, a warm bath, or a book.</li><li>Go to bed and get up around the same time each day, even on weekends.</li></ul>Exercise regularly, but try to avoid a heavy workout just before bed.

Increased concentration is among the many benefits of regular exercise. Exercise benefits everyone. A 2018 study looking at 116 fifth-graders found evidence to suggest daily physical activity could help improve both concentration and attention after just 4 weeks. Other researchTrusted Source looking at older adults suggests just a year of moderate aerobic physical activity can help stop or even reverse memory loss that occurs with brain atrophy related to age.

3. Make time for exercise

If you want to boost your concentration naturally, try to get outside every day, even for just 15 to 20 minutes. You might take a short walk through a park. Sitting in your garden or backyard can also help. Any natural environment has benefits.

4. Spend time in nature

Meditation and mindfulness practices can offer multiple benefits. Improved concentration is only one of these.Mindfulness training that emphasizes attention focus could help increase attention and focus. Mindfulness can also improve memory and other cognitive abilities.Meditation doesn’t just mean sitting silently with your eyes closed. Yoga, deep breathing, and many other activities can help you meditate.

5. Give meditation a try

when you first feel your concentration drop, take a short mental break. Refresh yourself with a cool drink or nutritious snack, take a quick walk, or go outside and get some sun.When you return to work, don’t be surprised if you feel more focused, motivated, or even creative. Breaks can help boost these functions and more.

6. Take a break

Turning on music while working or studying may help increase concentration.The type of music you listen to can make a difference. Experts generally agree classical music, particularly baroque classical music or nature sounds are good choices to help increase your focus.It’s also important to avoid choosing music you love or hate, since both types can end up distracting you.

7. Listen to music

The foods you eat can affect cognitive functions like concentration and memory. Avoiding processed foods, too much sugar, and very greasy or fatty foods. To boost concentration, try eating more of the following:<ul><li>fatty fish (think salmon and trout)</li><li>eggs (white and yolk both)</li><li>blueberries</li><li>spinach</li></ul>Staying hydrated can also have a positive impact on concentration. Even mild dehydration can make it harder to focus or remember information.

8. Vary your diet 

If you feel your concentration starting to drop, consider a cup of coffee or green tea. A serving of dark chocolate — 70 percent cacao or higher — can have similar benefits, if you don’t enjoy caffeinated beverages.A 2017 studyTrusted Source found evidence to suggest phytochemicals naturally found in matcha, a type of green tea, not only improve cognitive function but can help promote relaxation. So matcha may be a good option if coffee tends to make you feel jittery or on edge.

9. Drink caffeine

Some supplements may help promote better concentration and improved brain function.The following supplements may help promote increased concentration and overall brain health:<ul><li>folate</li><li>choline</li><li>vitamin K</li><li>flavonoids</li><li>omega-3 fatty acids</li><li>guarana seed extract</li></ul>

10. Try supplements

Concentration workouts often help children who have trouble focusing. This mental workout involves fully devoting attention to an activity for a set period of time.Try these activities:<ul><li>Draw or doodle for 15 minutes.</li><li>Spend a few minutes tossing a balloon or small ball with another person.</li><li>Set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes. Try to blink as little as possible.</li></ul>Talking about where they lost concentration and how they managed to refocus can help them develop these skills for use in daily tasks.

11. Do a concentration workout

You can try a number of ways to improve your concentration, including brain games, meditation, music, and more. If these don’t work for you, it’s a good idea to talk with a professional to rule out any conditions.

health

Health

education

Learning & Education

How to Improve Concentration: -Backed Tips, and More

WHAT IS SELF-IMPROVEMENT?Self-improvement is any activity or goal that enhances your quality of life or helps you reach your full potential and realize your dreams. You can improve your knowledge, your skills or your mindset and character – the important thing is that you are growing as a person. Why? Because if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Growth is one of our Six Human Needs and is essential to living a fulfilling, happy life.

Self-Improvement by: Tony Robbins

CAREERWhether you want to open a business or move up in the ranks at your company, you can always improve in the workforce. Learn a new skill, attend an immersive business event or connect with a mentor who can help you identify your strengths. RELATIONSHIPSRelationships are the bedrock of your life. You have relationships with your family. Coworkers. Friends. Romantic partner. Can you deepen some of these bonds? How can you be more present for your loved ones?

Areas of Self-Improvement

FINANCEDo you want to get better with money? You can. Learning how to attain financial freedom is a fine place to start in your self-improvement journey. HEALTHYour body will function far better with more energy, and the better your body functions, the more you’re able to achieve in your life. You can strengthen and build up emotional, physical and mental health. The Tony Robbins Wheel of Life Assessment can help you identify areas for improvement and show you how to get to where you want to be. From there, you can use these self-improvement tips to get started on the path to success.

habits

Habits

The ultimate guide to self-improvement

There is a note-taking app for everyone. But with a new note-taking app popping up every single week, it can be hard to decide which one is the best for your use case.So hopefully these ideas about the different note-taking styles can help you with that journey.And remember:"The more you invest in your note-taking tool, the more value you will get out of it".

Different digital note-taking styles and apps

<ul><li>There is no universally perfect note-taking app, and no note-taking app will do the work for you.</li><li>You can use an intersection of several apps if you need to use two or more of them in combination to achieve your goals.</li><li>However, it’s better to make a conscious effort to avoid building Frankenstein's monster of a productivity system.</li><li>Finally, try to not keep on switching note-taking apps too often. The shiny new toy syndrome is real, and the desire to always use the “latest and greatest” will end up wasting lots of your time. </li></ul>

Things to consider

<ul><li>The architect. They enjoy planning, designing processes and frameworks, and need a note-taking tool that allows them to easily structure their ideas.</li><li>The gardener. They enjoy exploring, connecting various thoughts together, and need a note-taking tool that allows them to easily grow their ideas.</li><li>The librarian. They enjoy collecting, building a catalogue of resources, and need a note-taking tool that allows them to easily retrieve their ideas.</li></ul>

Note-Taking Styles

Architectural note-taking apps rely on a hierarchical structure based on pages and categories. They require a bit of planning to decide whether an idea deserves its own category or its own page.But once you have made the effort to go through that decision-making and design process, you can keep on re-using your templates for different workflows, which can be great for productivity.<ul><li>Notion</li><li>Coda</li><li>Tettra</li></ul>

Apps for architects

Instead of having a template-first approach, they are more akin to the process of simultaneously exploring and building a map.Non-linear, these apps offer bi-directional linking, allowing you to not only see what a note links to, but what notes link back to it. So you can discover connections between ideas that you may have not made yourself. <ul><li>Roam Research.</li><li>Obsidian.</li><li>Remnote</li></ul>

Apps for gardeners

Note-taking apps do not have to be more than a place to store and retrieve information you care about. Web clipping, rich formatting, file attachment, tagging, and a way to filter your notes is all you need to quickly save and access what you need.<ul><li>Evernote</li><li>OneNote</li><li>Bear</li></ul>

Apps for librarians

<ul><li>Need to store a large amount of mostly static information in order to easily retrieve it later? Evernote </li><li>Need to brainstorm new ideas? Obsidian, Remnote</li><li>Need to organize a large project and manage your productivity? Notion</li></ul>

Choosing the right app

Here are some ideas to find the app you need to build a note-taking productivity system that suits your style of organizing information.

There's a note-taking app for everyone. The challenge: it's hard to decide which one's the best for your use case and your note-taking style.

writing

Reading & Writing

How to choose the right note-taking app

“When we practice something, we are involved in the deliberate repetition of a process with the intention of reaching a specific goal. The words deliberate and intention are key here because they define the difference between actively practicing something and passively learning it.”Here are some additional ways to think about the difference.<ul><li>Let's say your goal is to get stronger and more fit. You can research the best instructions on bench press technique, but the only way to build strength is to practice lifting weights.</li></ul>

The Difference Between Learning and Practicing

<ul><li>Let's say your goal is to grow your startup. You can learn about the best way to make a sales pitch, but the only way to actually land customers is to practice making sales calls.</li><li>Let's say your goal is to write a book. You can talk to a best-selling author about writing, but the only way to become a better writer is to practice publishing consistently.</li></ul>Let's consider three more reasons to prioritize active practice over passive learning.

In many cases, learning is actually a way to avoid taking action on the goals and interests that we say are important to us. rationalizations allow us to feel like we are moving forward when we are merely spinning our wheels. We make the mistake of being in motion rather than taking action. Learning is valuable until it becomes a form of procrastination.

1. Passive Learning Can Be a Crutch That Supports Inaction

practice is the only way to make a meaningful contribution with your knowledge. You can watch an online course about how to build a business or read an article about a terrible disaster in a developing nation, but that knowledge is unproductive unless you actually launch your business or donate to those in need. Learning by itself can be valuable for you, but if you want to be valuable to others, then you have to express your knowledge in some way.

2. Practice Is Learning, But Learning Is Not Practice

“Progress is a natural result of staying focused on the process of doing anything.”The state of your life right now is a result of the habits and beliefs that you have been practicing each day. When you realize this and begin to direct your focus toward practicing better habits day-in and day-out, continual progress will be the logical outcome. It is not the things we learn nor the dreams we envision that determines our results, but rather that habits that we practice each day. Fall in love with boredom and focus your energy on the process, not the product.

3. Practice Focuses Your Energy on the Process

Passive learning by itself does not lead to progress. Read the article to learn more about passive learning vs. active practicing.

Stop Thinking and Start Doing: The Power of Practicing More

As a wise man said, “We all need a clear voice in the sea of noise”. A path or a clear way to achieve our goal.We try to strategize a daily routine or smaller aims to achieve those goals but people like me often find ourselves failing rather than completing it

How to declutter creative ideas from your mind

If we think about it, we may curse our disciplinary habits but having discipline in life doesn’t mean we can earn riches. Motivation, mental health, physical health, passion are other things to discuss but we are going to talk about the major obstacle between us and the goal we want to achieve.

Discipline Is Not Everything

little knots of ideas stop us from focusing, prioritizing, and working for our goals. You might have gone through this situation where you want to work on some idea but you constantly get distracted by other ideas that are flowing in your mind. You may have heard the phrase ‘Declutter your thoughts in your mind for better clarity’ this phrase is often used in self-help books and psychological books/blogs. It means to have the clarity you have to solve the tangles of thoughts just like this, ideas also have these tangles which we need to solve manually.

Tangles Of Countless Creative deas!   

Cal Newport author of bestseller ‘Deep Work’ mentioned one method in his book:The batching of hard important intellectual work into long uninterrupted stretches . When we think about some idea, we need to segmentize the idea to complete it in reality. Segmentation helps us to divide the work. It gives us a stress-free way to work on ideas. When you work on one idea for a long time as per your segmentation, your mind gradually removes other ideas and starts focusing on one thing at a time.

Segmentation Of Work 

the more you time spend on your idea the more you’ll get focused. This is how you can declutter your tangles of ideas. Your mind needs to solve one equation at a point just like Algebra .

One Equation At A Time

In this article, you'll get to know how you can declutter creative ideas in your mind. It may seem easy but it is a hard task to do! 

This curve typically shows what happens to our memory of something in a week after learning something new.The ultimate goal to maximize our efficiency to remember something is to reduce the effects of forgetting curve.Here are 6 effective strategies that will help you to retain much of what you have learnt.

The Infamous Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

Evidence shows that studying your material in several sessions spread out over a long period, rather than repeatedly learning stuff in a short period, really helps to retain the material. Importantly, it is better to overshoot the duration between your revision than to undershoot. If an exam is 2 months away a minimum of 10 days is recommended, it can get 12 but 8 is not fine. It gives us a false perception of mastery which may not pay off later.

1) Spaced Practice 

One strategy for learning is blocking. It involves practicing one thing at a time before the next ( Learning topic A before B, before C forming the pattern AABBCC), in interleaving you mix several topics together (forming the pattern ABCABC) It may seem a little harder as it can take a bit longer to learn material. But it can generate better and long-lasting results. It is important that when using interleaving method you shouldn't switch between subjects too often, it's all about getting the balance.

2) Interleaving

The only way to know if your practice is working is by testing yourself. Evidence shows that testing is one of the most important factor to aid your revision and it can drastically improve your memory.While initially it may seem better to study more, over time you are much more likely to retain information if you test yourself. This surprising phenomenon is called the testing effect!Some ideas on how you can test yourself:<ul><li>Flashcards </li><li>Practice questions online</li><li>Questions in textbooks </li><li> Getting friends to quiz you in a study group </li><li> Past papers</li></ul>

3) Retrieval Practice 

Elaboration is where are you enhance the information of the learning material by relating it to other information that you already know so that you think about it differently.This strategy makes you ask more in-depth questions about how and why things work; deepening your sematic understanding

4) Elaboration 

When we are learning new information that we do not want it to interfere with what we have previously learned. If this happens it is called retroactive interference. When this happens the memory that you have stored previously for some reasons cannot be retrieved. This is more likely to occur when learning similar materials.So when learning new information, try to make sure you are learning it in fundamentally different way on how you learned similar materials. Use new cues and try to keep the information separate. Consider connecting the dots.

5) Link Information To Expand Your Memory

Stimulating curiosity creates more effective learning experiences. This means the more interested or curious you are about something, the better. If you find a topic boring try connecting it with something that you do find interesting. Thinking in these terms can really change how you feel about a topic and consequently how well you end up learning it.

6) Stay Curious To Learn More

How to remember the stuff you have studied ?

Your desk can quickly turn into a disaster because most people juggle more tasks than achievable in a standard workday. However, you have to get your work done, so don’t let a messy desk cause you to lose focus or feel anxious.An easy place to start is to take stock of your desk equipment, tools, and decor. Even if you claim that aesthetics aren’t important to you, keep an open mind. Your workspace is a tool that helps you get your job done.

What to Keep on Your Desk to Help Improve Your Focus

Time blindness is real. It can be hard to hang in there if you struggle with staying on task, especially in unpleasant jobs. Consider adding a sand timer to your desk decor to encourage you to work in sprints or practices like the Pomodoro Technique.Timers are available in multiple sizes and speeds. Consider your current work style and attention span to choose those that suit you. For example, if you use the Pomodoro Technique, you’ll need a 25-minute timer to execute the strategy.

A Sand Timer

Analog notes are often the easiest to execute, especially when inspiration hits. Keep a notebook or notepad dedicated for work at your workstation. Have a pen you love on standby, so you’re ready to jot down a takeaway, assignment, or idea. Label your notes so you can keep track of what you’ve written down.One drawback of note-taking supplies is that you won’t find another person in your office with them, and everyone will borrow yours. So get those coloured variety stacks and several pens and locate them on the edge of your desk.

Note-Taking Supplies

Keep an annual calendar in your view, and you just may see your work get smoother.Having a visual of the year ahead can help you plan your workload, consider contingencies, and resist touching distracting tech. Use your annual calendar to layer tasks and responsibilities, so you can tell when workloads can get tight. Then, finalize your workload to your tech-based calendar later and stay in the flow by using a visual calendar first.A paper Calendar can also keep you off of social and seeing your messages when you just have to have a quick date.

An Annual Calendar

Papers may be a necessary evil, especially if your business hasn’t adopted the latest digital tools. Create a system to ingest papers to keep your space clear with no distractions. Instead, use an in/outbox, standing folder holder, or other receptacles to create order where chaos often persists.If you’re often receiving documents for review or sign-off, communicate your process to your team. With a standard protocol, you can ensure that documents are organized and ready for your review.

A Landing Spot for Papers

A powerful quote, poster of your vacation spot, or your kids’ school picture are all fair game for desk decor. Seeing the things and people that matter most can help you push through even the toughest of tasks. Using motivating visuals can remind you of your “why,” especially during challenging seasons of work.Give your motivating visual a place of honor on your workspace. If it’s a photo, invest in a sturdy frame and keep it updated with the latest image of what drives you. Quotes that mean something to you can be tacked on to your monitor or even added to your coffee mug.

A Visual That Motivates You

Many workplaces insist on a clean desk policy to keep customer and company data secure. However, while you should always protect private and personal information, so should you guard your productivity.Make a practice of tidying your space at the end of your workday. Set a reminder on your calendar for the final 15 minutes of your scheduled hours. File papers, remove remnants from meals, and update your to-do list tomorrow.

Keep a Clean Desk Policy

Your desk can quickly turn into a disaster because most people juggle more tasks than achievable in a standard workday. However, you have to get your work done, so don&#8217;t...

5 Things to Keep on Your Desk to Help Improve Your Focus

If you’ve ever spent more time talking yourself into doing something than it actually took to complete the task, you know how hard self-motivation can be. Whether it’s procrastination, distraction, or disinterest, the struggle can be real. Fortunately, there are some tricks that can help get you moving.Science-backed principles of persuasion can be the push you need to get stuff done, says New York Times best-selling author Daniel Pink, who teaches a <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/classes/daniel-pink-teaches-sales-and-persuasion">new MasterClass on persuasion and sales </a>.

Self-motivation has a new urgency in the pandemic when time is so distorted. So many of us are missing cues and structure found in a typical workplace. Anything small you can use to get yourself going can be super useful.If you’re feeling stuck, try one of these five simple tricks:

When you’re trying to persuade someone to do something, one tactic is to make it simple. You’re not trying to change their mind, you’re making it easy for them to say ‘yes.'Use this technique on yourself by agreeing to just do five more. For example, make five more calls, read five more pages, or send five emails.In many cases, 80% of the problem is getting started. By making that initial step easy, you’re not trying to change your mind; you’re doing what you need to get started and you’ll likely build the momentum to do a lot more.

1. Just five more

Setting goals is how many of us achieve the things we desire most, but goals can also be daunting when they’re big, like writing a book. Persuade yourself to get moving by setting smaller, interim goals, such as writing a chapter every week.Long-term goals don’t motivate. They can be too much—something you can’t wrap your head around—and cause you to freak out. Goals that are easier to accomplish can be motivating. When you see the end of something, you kick harder to get to the finish line.

2. Set interim goals

Posting an intention on social media can also be motivating. This has to do with the behavioral science that watched people are nice people. A public commitment is like being watched. You don’t want to lose face or look bad.To work, the public commitment persuasion tactic has to involve specific goal setting. You can’t just proclaim you’re going to write a book or run a marathon.If one has never written book, for example, it won’t be effective. Provide a timeframe, such as a finishing a chapter this week. Smaller and more specific is better than large and general announcements.

3. Make a public commitment

Another trick for getting more done is to take a break. The brain and body are not meant to work nonstop, says Pink.For whatever weird reason, we have the idea that powering through is the best way to get stuff done and a sign of our own virtue. We’ve got it upside down and believe amateurs take breaks and pros don’t. Athletes know that taking breaks is not a deviation from performance but is part of performance.Your drive to get more done would increase if you would simply take a walk outside every afternoon.

4. Take breaks

Having a looming deadline can be a good motivator for committing to action. You can set them yourself or leverage deadlines given to you by a manager or coworker.Deadlines help turn an abstract into something concrete, instead of a dull nagging to do something. Deadlines also provide the power of endings. It helps when you see the finish line.

5. Set deadlines

Science-backed principles of persuasion can be the push you need to get stuff done.


5 ways to persuade yourself to be more productive

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