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Is there anything more tedious than the endless drive to make every waking moment more productive? “If I can save ten seconds on a process that happens ten times per day, that’s a minute and 40 seconds saved per day,” a productivity guru recently advised in Time magazine, to take just one example. “Over the course of a year, that’s ten hours saved.”
If that sounds exhausting, the good news is that there are many reasons to avoid putting ourselves under this kind of relentless pressure – not least the latest neuroscience on how the brain regulates focus, as we explore in “Take control of your brain’s master switch to optimise how you think”.
It has to do with a tiny bundle of blue-tinged neurons in the brainstem called the locus coeruleus. According to new research, this structure acts like a gear lever that sets the pace of our brain’s processing. In Gear 1, the mind can wander freely; in Gear 2, we are highly engaged and attentive; and in Gear 3, we are hyperalert and quick to respond to a crisis.
What various experiments have now shown is that moderate locus coeruleus activity – Gear 2 – is the optimum state for many types of cognitive activity. It increases our concentration, while also allowing for the kind of thinking necessary for problem-solving. Gear 3 may be useful when we are facing an emergency, but it reduces our capacity to think analytically or creatively.
It may, in fact, be foolish to insist on driving the engine of thought at ever greater speeds
Crucially, it turns out that the locus coeruleus can easily be tipped into Gear 3 whenever we are under pressure. If we are constantly pushing ourselves to achieve more and more in a limited amount of time, we may find ourselves stuck in this overwhelming and exhausting brain state, which will only reduce the quality of our output in the long term.
With that in mind, it may, in fact, be foolish to insist on driving the engine of thought at ever greater speeds all the time. What is too often overlooked is the need to give your brain plenty of opportunity to return to a lower gear. For high-quality thinking, contrary to much of the productivity advice, downtime may be just as productive as uptime.
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Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
