Can you really improve your focus at work? Recent research gives some interesting insights into how you can do this.  Are you constantly switching between tasks and finding it difficult to stay on track? If so, you’re not alone. In a recent article published by the BBC, here some tips for improving focus and productivity in the workplace.

The first tip is to break up your workday into smaller chunks. Instead of trying to work for eight hours straight, break it up into four two-hour sessions with a break in between. This will help keep your mind fresh and focused.

The second tip is to establish specific times for checking email and social media. Checking these things constantly can be extremely distracting, so try to limit yourself to just twice a day.

The third tip is to take a break every hour. Get up and move around, go for a walk or drink some water. This will help refresh your mind and make you more productive when you return to your work. The fourth tip is to create a distraction-free workspace. This means turning off all distractions (cell phone, TV, etc.) and focusing on one task at a time. The fifth and final tip is to set goals for yourself. Instead of just working on whatever comes your way, try setting specific goals for each day and week. This will help keep you focused and motivated.

These five tips are simple but effective ways to help improve your focus at work. If you’re having trouble staying productive, give them a try! They may just be what you need to get the job done.

Taking regular breaks throughout the day gives your brain a chance to refresh and recharge, which can help improve focus and productivity in the long run. Try setting goals for yourself and tracking your progress over time. This helps you stay accountable and motivated and prevents you from becoming overwhelmed.

It is important that we foster a productive work environment for our employees. By following the simple steps, we can create an environment that is conducive to focus and productivity. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even be able to improve our own productivity in the process!

Find out more in the original article here: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170925-the-surprising-tricks-to-help-you-focus-at-work

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

Do you know how your brain is sabotaging your success? You may be surprised. According to this article, there are five cognitive biases that can block your success. These are sunk cost fallacy, confirmation bias, self-serving bias, winner’s curse, and survivorship bias.

The first bias is the sunk cost fallacy. This is the belief that you’ve invested so much time and money into a project that you can’t give up on it. The sunk cost fallacy can lead to bad decision-making and prevent you from moving on to better opportunities. The second bias is loss aversion. This is the fear of losing something you already have. Loss aversion can lead to hesitation and indecision, which can prevent you from taking action.

The third bias is confirmation bias. This is the tendency to favour information that confirms our beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. Confirmation bias can lead to poor decision-making and prevent you from considering all possible options. The fourth bias is overconfidence. This is the belief that you’re better than you really are. Overconfidence can lead to unrealistic expectations and poor decision-making.

The fifth bias is sunk cost fallacy 2.0 (or escalation of commitment). This is the tendency to keep investing in a project or idea even when it’s no longer viable. Escalation of commitment can lead to wasted resources and bad decision-making. Each of these biases can be a roadblock to our success. However, by recognising them and taking steps to overcome them, you can move closer to achieving your goals.

So what can you do about these cognitive biases? Managers, business owners and supervisors should be aware of these biases because they can lead to bad decisions that harm the business. The best way to deal with them is to become aware of them and acknowledge that they exist. Once you’re aware of your own biases, you can start making an effort to counteract them. For example, you can try to take a step back and look at situations from different perspectives, or you can ask others for their opinions before making decisions. You can also make a point of gathering data from multiple sources before coming to any conclusions. And finally, you can practice mindfulness, which will help us stay aware of your thoughts and feelings as they happen and keep them from impacting your judgment.

Find out more in the original article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2021/09/27/5-cognitive-biases-blocking-your-success/?sh=5f6227282402

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference. 

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to thrive under pressure while others crumble? According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, there is a sweet spot for stress where we are most productive. Too much or too little stress can lead to negative outcomes.

The Yerkes-Dodson Law was discovered in 1908 by psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson. It states that there is a relationship between arousal and performance, with optimal performance occurring at an intermediate level of arousal. The article explores several factors related to this law such as motivation, multitasking, anxiety and fatigue, all of which can affect performance.

There are three factors that influence how we respond to stress:

1. The task itself – some tasks are more challenging than others and require more focus and energy.
2. The person – some people are more easily aroused than others and find tasks more stimulating.
3. The environment – some environments are more stimulating than others and can cause us to be more aroused.

The Yerkes-Dodson Law helps us understand how to get the best out of our employees. Motivation, for example, is essential for getting the most out of any task; however if motivation levels become too high it can lead to burnout or exhaustion. On the other hand, multitasking can be beneficial in certain circumstances but when it is done excessively it can cause mistakes due to lack of focus on individual tasks. Similarly, anxiety can positively drive performance but if it becomes too intense then it will start to hinder progress instead. Finally, fatigue should also be managed properly as working long hours without rest or breaks can significantly reduce productivity levels over time.

Overall, the Yerkes-Dodson Law provides useful insights into how stress and other factors interact with one another to influence performance levels amongst managers, business owners and supervisors. By understanding what triggers these reactions and how best to address them accordingly they will be able develop better strategies for improving their results in both the short term and long term. The Yerkes-Dodson law is an important piece of information for anyone in a leadership position. By understanding how this law works, you can create a work environment that is optimal for your employees’ needs and help them achieve their full potential.

Find out more in the original article here: https://www.healthline.com/health/yerkes-dodson-law#factors

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.