7 Brain Hacks That Boost Productivity

Productivity is important because it relates to income and time. The more productive you are, the more money you can earn in many situations. You can also save time. That time can be spent on anything you like, including making more money. There are many obstacles to productivity, such as a lack of focus, a lack of intention, a lack of stamina, and too many distractions, to name a few.

Hack your brain and increase your productivity with these strategies:

Brain Hack 1. Set an intention. 
Most people can’t focus because they’re not truly clear on what they want to focus on or for how long. Give yourself a fighting chance by choosing a specific task for a specific amount of time.

• For example, you might decide you’re going to work on your tax return for 30 minutes. Set a timer and do your best for those 30 minutes.

• Your brain will do its best to give you what you want if you give it clear instructions.

Brain Hack 2. Meditate. 
Meditation helps to build focus and calm your mind. Meditation is incredibly popular right now, so there is plenty of free information on how to meditate effectively. Educate yourself and get started. It’s simple and effective.

Brain Hack 3. Take regular breaks. 
Experiment with break frequency and duration. The best option for most people is either 25 minutes of work and a five-minute break, or 50 minutes of work and a 10-minute break. Discover what works best for you and then stick with it. Timers can be powerful tools.

Brain Hack 4. Avoid giving in to temptation.
Most of us give in to the temptation of distraction far too easily. It’s a very difficult habit to break. We quickly go from feeling bored or stressed to amused. It feels good to check email or read a text.

• The most productive people are able to overcome the urge to break their attention from their work task.

• It’s important to avoid these distractions during your breaks, too. It’s too hard to get back on task, and your breaktime magically extends from five minutes to 25. Learn how to say “no” to your urges.

Brain Hack 5. Alternate high and low-focus tasks. 
Many people report greater productivity when they alternate between cognitively intense activities and those that require less intellectual effort. It’s similar to interval training in the gym.

• Lower-level activities might include returning calls and emails, or other routine work. The lower-level activities give your brain a rest and the chance to recover. Soon, it’s ready for another round of more intense activity.

Brain Hack 6. Drink plenty of water. 
Most people are partially dehydrated. The solution is to drink plenty of water. That doesn’t mean you have to be chugging 20 ounces of water every hour. But, a 20-ounce bottle of water every few hours would be beneficial to most.

• So many metabolic processes require water that you’re not at your best if you’re dehydrated.

Brain Hack 7. Develop a positive mindset. 
A positive outlook on life makes you more productive. Studies show that mindset affects productivity. Work on having a positive outlook and you’ll accomplish more each day. You’ll also be a lot happier.

Productivity should be important to everyone. Time is your most valuable asset, so do what you can to maximize it. We can all be more productive, but it doesn’t happen by magic. It must be a priority if you want to see real results. Dedicate yourself to maximizing your productivity.

Give your brain every chance to be your ally on this important journey.

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Key Points

Key takeaways from Dr. Lila Landowski's TEDx talk on productive learning, backed by neuroscience:

1. Understand Your Brain: Learning how the brain functions allows for better, more informed decisions regarding learning techniques.

2. Active Learning: Engage in learning actively, rather than passively, by applying knowledge and solving real-world problems.

3. Memory Retention: Use techniques such as spaced repetition and chunking information to enhance memory retention.

4. Take Breaks: Regular breaks improve focus and productivity by giving the brain time to rest and process information.

5. Sleep and Exercise: Both are crucial for brain health and optimal learning, as they contribute to better memory and cognitive function.

6. Growth Mindset: Adopting a mindset that embraces challenges and learning from mistakes is essential for long-term success.

These neuroscience-backed methods help accelerate learning and improve overall cognitive performance.