We all know that there are things we need to do to raise our game. Whether it’s becoming a better delegator, increasing our sales or becoming a faster runner; there are universal truths that we must learn along the way. More often than not, what we need to do makes perfect sense.
Sometimes, however, the advice you need to follow is not what you expect. Here are three surprising truths that are backed up by lots of research, science and the experience of top performers.
To be more productive…you need to take more breaks
Coming in early, grinding out work, eating at your desk (or skipping lunch altogether), working late…any of this sound like a typical day at the office for you? If so, you’re certainly not alone. But according to the research, you’re doing it all wrong.
Our obsessive focus on “all work and no play” usually heightens when we are the most stressed over a big project or a looming deadline. And ironically, that’s when we need breaks more than ever. In other words, when you feel like you’re under the gun and can’t afford to take a break, you need one!
In a manic, “get-it-done at all costs” work environment, it can actually take a lot of courage to step away. But studies show that the more intense the work, the more frequently you need a break. Five to ten-minute breaks every hour or two seem to work wonders for productivity, performance and creativity. In one study conducted by researchers at Stanford University, participants who walked outside, for just six minutes, increased creativity by more than 60% compared to co-workers who remained seated at their desks.
To get more done…stop multitasking
In a culture that demands that we work faster and harder, it’s easy to fall into the multitasking trap. Checking off your to-do list, shifting from one pile of files to the next, answering the phone while filling out some paperwork may give you a great sense of accomplishment. In fact, most people pride themselves with a “look at all the things I’m doing” bravado.
The research, however, is pretty clear. Multitasking doesn’t work. MRI scans of folks who considered themselves “great multitaskers” found that it’s impossible for the brain to do two things at once with a high degree of quality. The multitasker’s brain simply switches back and forth in rapid succession from one task to the next, wasting precious energy and time in the process. And over time, that “switch time” adds up. In a study conducted at the University of Michigan, researchers found that the cumulative loss of productivity was as high as 40% in some of their participants. Yet, the folks multitasking often “feel” like they are being twice as productive.
It’s not just short-term performance that falls short when multitasking. Research reveals that “chronic” multitaskers are slower at identifying patterns, have less long-term memory and are not as proficient in filtering out irrelevant information.
On the contrary, it’s been noted time and time again that top performers are present in the moment and utilize a laser single-tasking focus and approach to their work. Doing one thing at a time increases both quality and quantity.
If you can’t figure out how to do something…fail first, ask for help second
It may sound counterintuitive, but we don’t do ourselves any favors by asking for help before we struggle. Our best learning happens when we are deeply engaged in trying to work through a problem, develop a new skill or understand a situation.
In fact, our minds work much like our bodies. By taxing ourselves and going through the struggle, we make our mental muscle stronger. Just like making physical gains at the gym are achieved by pushing through the last couple of reps when we’re lifting weights, we don’t do ourselves any favors by taking the easy way out.
If you want to grow, you have to push to the point of resistance. In so doing, you are activating the release of myelin in your brain which, in turn, enables the strengthening of neural pathways and connections. These pathways strengthen with use and enable us, in time, to learn and develop new skills that were previously undeveloped. The bottom-line when it comes to improving performance…failure is good, taking the easy road is bad.
