How To Boost Your Productivity, According To Science

How To Boost Your Productivity, According To Science How To Boost Your Productivity, According To Science InfographicPosted August 11, 2016, by Vivien LuuKey takeaway points on productivity hacks1. The perfect performance ratio is 9020To get the most out of your day, work in 90 minute bursts followed by a 20 minute break. By doing this you willIncrease your awarenessImprove focusBoost your energy levels2. Stop multitasking (its killing your productivity by 40%)According to science, theres no such thing as multitasking.Our brains dont actually work that way, and cant juggle two tasks at once. Instead, the brain actually switches from task to task something that makes you inefficient and ineffectual.3. Take a power nap after lunchThis sounds ridiculous, but after lunch our bodys serotonin and dopamine levels take a serious dive causing you to feel sluggish and tired. Thats why science recommends taking a power napTo get the perfect productivity-boosting nap, you shouldNap between 1pm-4 pmFind somewhere quiet and dark to snoozeNap for no more than 20 mins, or over 90 mins to avoid feeling groggy4. Exercise more (and do it at work)Studies show that workers who exercise on a regular basis are more productive than their sedentary collegues.A Swedish study found that exercise at work mean that employeesHad a greater capacity for workGot more doneWere sick less often5. Crank your favourite tunesA study found that surgeons who listened to their favourite music during surgery worked more accurately. Their response times were quicker, and they were better at problem solving.So crank up the volume and listen to your favourite beats at workTop tips for listening to music at workspielblttchen music you likeGo instrumental (lyrics can be distracting)If youre learning a new skill, hit the pause button6. Google baby animalsFinally science gives us an excuse to keep YouTubing hilariously cute animals.According to a Japanese study, looking at pictures of baby animals like kittens and puppies can improve your concentration and focusWant to improve your productivity but struggle with chronic procrastinating? Heres a 5 minute read that will help you stop procrastinating now...bedrngnis later.SOURCES1. Schwartz, T. 2010. The 90-Minute Solution How Building in Periods of Renewal Can Change Your Work and Your Life, Huffington Post. www.huffingtonpost.com/tony-schwartz/work-life-balance-the-90_b_578671.html 2. Caldwell, J. 2008. Operational Evidence of Fatigue Sleep and Psychomotor Performance during Commercial Ultra-Long Range Flights, Federal Aviation Administration. 3. Schulz, H Lavie, P. 2011. Ultradian Rhythms in Psychology and Behaviour, Springer New York 4. Anders Ericsson et al. 1993. The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance, Psychological Review, The American Psychology Association, Vol. 100, No.3 pp 363-406 http//projects.ict.usc.edu/itw/gel/EricssonDeliberatePracticePR93.pdf 5. CNN, 2005. Emails hurt IQ more than pot, CNN . http//edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/22/text.iq/index.html?_s=PMWORLD 6. Lapowsky, I. 2013, Dont Multitask Your Brain Will Thank You, Time Magazine. http//business.time.com/2013/04/17/dont-multitask-your-brain-will-thank-you/ 7. Kleiman, J. 2013, How Multitasking Hurts Your Brain (And Your Effectiveness at Work), Forbes. http//www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2013/01/15/how-multitasking-hurts-your-brain-and-your-effectiveness-at-work/ 8. Smolensky, M Lamberg, L. 2001. The Body Clock Guide to Better Health How to Use your Bodys Natural Clock to Fight Illness and Achieve Maximum Health, Holt Paperbacks, New York 9. May, A. 2013, Why you need a nana nap, The Age, www.theage.com.au/executive-style/management/why-you-need-a-nana-nap-20130705-2pgd1.html 10. Palazzolo, R. 2013, Sleep Experts Call for Siestas, ABC News, http//abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117147 11. Science Daily, 2011. Exercise at Work Boosts Productivity, Swedish researchers find, Science Daily, http//www.s ciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906121011.htm 12. Erickson KL et al, 2011. Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Vol. 108, No. 7, http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21282661 13. Padnani, A. 2012, The Power of Music, Tapped in Cubicle, The New York Times, http//www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/jobs/how-music-can-improve-worker-productivity-workstation.html?_r=2 14. Moore, K. 2010, Your Musical Self Using music to learn, heal and live, Psychology Today, http//www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-musical-self/201005/music-and-productivity-5-ideas-using-music-boost-performance 15. Nittono, H et al. 2012, The Power of Kawaii Viewing Cute Images Promotes a Careful Behaviour and Narrows Attentional Focus, PLOS One, www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0046362 ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?menschengerecht Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchescareer advisor onlineunsw early entrystudy in australia for international studentsyear 10 work experience ideasflexible entry usyd CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire Online Vivien LuuViv is a writer who enjoys researching and writing about creativity, how the human mind works, and neuro processes. She values creativity above all else and admires people who pursue their career dreams, no matter the sacrifice. In her spare time, she binges on HBO shows and epic fantasy novels.Related ArticlesBrowse moreFuture trendsThe Future Of Work 4 Trends To Look Out ForTeleporting to work, robotic colleagues and holographic boardroom pr esentations is this what the future of work will look like? We review the trends you can expect to seeChild CareEarly Childhood EducationHigh demand for education and childcare professionalsIts not always easy finding the right career path. For many people the choices can be overwhelming. For others the choices that theyve already made in their career may have led them to a dead end or to a profession for which they have no passion.ChristmasPop cultureThe 12 Gifs of (Office) ChristmasHeres what the Twelve days of Christmas would look like if it was rewritten for todays workplace. Plus... gifs

4 Small Business Tips to Boost Employee Happiness

4 Small Business Tips to Boost Employee Happiness4 Small Business Tips to Boost Employee HappinessSmall is beautiful when it comes to employee happiness. A first-of-its-kind study, ITS TIME WE ALL WORK HAPPY. , shows that the happiest workers are at small companies with fewer than 10 people on the payroll. On a happiness scale of 0-100, those workers scored 76, which means they may have some small business tips to share with larger companies, whose workers ranked their happiness at only 67.Happy workers are more resilient, more loyal, harder working, more productive and healthier, according to the research. If you manage or own a small business, thats good news.People who work in the fields of accounting, financial and financial services, however, ranked last among those polled for on-the-job happiness, regardless of company size.With that in mind, what are the best small business tips for brightening the workday for your bookkeepers, accounting managers and finance team members? Her e are four1. Foster pride in your small businessWhether your organization is a startup or an established company, it provides products or services of some kind. What is its history, and what value does it bring to its customers and the community? Has it received awards or recognition? You can instill pride by reminding workers of why your company is a great place to work. Think of your most positive attributes. Do you offer a positive and engaging corporate culture? Is the work you do worthwhile? Are your team members supportive of one another? All of that contributes to happiness at work.2. Offer a sense of empowermentThe definition of empowerment is the authority given to someone to do something. In the workplace, its a good idea to let go of the reins and empower your staffTo make decisions, either on their own or with minimal directionTo develop critical skills that can help them advance their careers and make greater contributions to the companyTo feel more invested in their r oles and the jobs they doTo build confidence as they realize they can make the right decisionsTo feel more comfortable suggesting new ideasTo take strategic risks and flex their creative muscles3. Acknowledge your staffs accomplishmentsThe smallest companies are the best at making their workers feel appreciated, according to the happiness research. More than two-thirds (67 percent) of employees at organizations with fewer than 10 employees say their work is recognized appropriately. Workers in larger companies are less likely to feel appreciated only 54 percent of workers in organizations with 1,000 or more employees feel appreciated.While the study shows the first year on the job is the happiest for workers, dont underestimate the importance of recognizing both the newcomers and the veterans at your company. Make a point of soliciting their eingabe and offering yours, showing them how they contribute to your companys success, announcing their achievements publicly and personally th anking them often.As Nic Marks, a leading expert on workplace happiness, notes in the report, Believe it or not, a bonus is nice, but a kind word can go even further with employees.4. Set a good exampleWorkers take their cue from people around them, including the boss. Dont underestimate your influence and the impact of how you conduct yourself in front of your team, especially with regard to these attributesEffective communicationLeadership and mentoringInspiration and engagementPositivityWhen a manager embodies positivity, Dr. Aymee Coget says in the report, their influence touches their team, clients and even their clients customers.Does happy mean smiling all the time? Is there a one-size-fits-all approach to fostering happiness at your small company? No. But its safe to say that by being an advocate for workplace happiness, youll attract and retain great people. And that can be pivotal to your own success as well.Learn more about building a happier workplace, and access free re sources, including a quiz, infographic, testimonials and videos.DOWNLOAD THE REPORT