Mental energy is finite, so single-task instead of multitasking and make big decisions when you're fresh. Status threats kill focus and performance. Help others discover answers instead of telling them what to do.
Today's book the Brain at Work by David Rock A high performance playbook that uses neuroscience to show how focusing, managing energy and aligning your brain's wiring can transform productivity, creativity and well being. Here's your one minute summary Mental energy is finite. Your brain's highest level thinking uses serious resources. Tackle your most important decisions when you're fresh and avoid draining your mind with distractions. Multitasking kills cognitive power. Trying to split focus makes you less accurate and less creative. Stay in one zone, one task at a time. Status and social threats hijack your brain. Feeling ignored, sidelined or lowered in value triggers threat circuits, undermining focus and leadership and insight. Be beats instruction. People learn best when they arrive at their own aha moments, not when they're told what to do. Facilitate discovery. Don't just dictate expectations. Shape performance. Exceeded expectations boost dopamine. Unmet ones trigger threat responses. Manage your and others expectations to steer your brain's chemistry. You're not just learning how to do more, you're you're learning how to think more powerfully. So what environment shift or focus rule will you apply today so your brain works for you, not against you? What's one little thing you know you can do? Think about that and consider checking out Philosopher's Notes 2.0 when it comes soon.
