Dear Readers: As summer approaches with vacations or staycations top of mind, how can you remain productive and focused at work?
If you’ve noticed it’s harder to be productive on sunny days, especially when upcoming personal endeavors beckon, it’s not you. You’re on to something.
According to Harvard research, weather impacts our productivity. Simply stated, we’re more productive when it rains than when we’re working inside during a beautiful, sunny day.
Elina Teboul, global leadership expert, coach, and author of “Feminine Intelligence: How Visionary Leaders Can Reshape Business for Good,” provided insight and productivity hacks that can help us power through days when we’re otherwise mentally checked out, especially as warmer weather pulls us toward the sunshine, beach and fire pit.
First, she recommended a “reverse to-do list.” If you’re like me with a handwritten to-do list, there’s a lot of satisfaction with crossing things off. Think of the reverse list, however, as your “ta-da list” — essentially things you got done.
“A reverse to-do list flips productivity on its head by focusing on accomplishments rather than tasks yet to be done. Instead of overwhelming yourself with what’s left, you consciously note down completed tasks, building momentum and motivation through visible wins,” said Teboul.
For example, at the end of the day if you have unaccomplished tasks remaining, Teboul suggested writing everything you accomplished such as “prepared slides for next week’s presentation.” Teboul said, “Seeing these successes reorients your mindset toward progress rather than lack. Research shows our brain loves to close loops and feel successful.”
Next, remove repetitive trivial decisions from your daily life so you can pour cognitive energy into making decisions that matter, something Teboul refers to as a “decision fatigue eliminator.” For instance, wear a consistent “uniform” to work without having to think about choosing an outfit on a daily basis, channeling the late Steve Jobs when he sported his iconic black turtleneck.
As a leadership advisor, Teboul has observed that most successful senior leaders blocked out “thinking time” at the beginning of each week as a standing meeting. “Knowing this sacred space exists, without debating its priority every time an unexpected meeting pops up, preserves your capacity for intuition, creativity and strategic insight,” said Teboul.
As for the third hack, stop invisible work in its tracks. “Invisible work encompasses unacknowledged mental labor like worrying about future meetings, replaying past conversations or managing background anxieties — tasks that silently deplete your mental energy throughout the day,” said Teboul.
The hack involves calling it out and externalizing it. Take mentally replaying an awkward interaction at the office: “Write a quick note or set a reminder to revisit it later,” said Teboul. “This simple action clears immediate mental clutter, instantly restoring focus and productivity.”
Tribune News Service