Harnessing 5 senses to increase productivity at work
- The lush turquoise waves swaying back and forth…
- The salty taste of the sea…
- Grain sand and water between your toes…
- Piña colada is sweet on the tongue…
The five senses anchor us in the present moment. The right signals can carry us. Suddenly, we’re no longer so stressed out by an impending deadline or annoyed by a colleague’s distraction – we’re indulging at the moment.
There’s a reason more people dream of working on a tropical island than in a dark, cluttered office. Taste, touch, hearing, sight, and smell – when in harmony, all of these are essential in creating a supportive environment that allows you to be more productive. While researching my book, Automate Your Busy Work, I discovered that our environment – at work or at home – has a big impact on attention span and ability to get things done. our mission.
Harnessing sensory cues is a powerful way to refresh our minds and body. I wanted to share my findings on how specific sensory triggers can help you focus and dedicate your brain to the things that matter.
How sensory cues can shape your work habits
Author Alice Boyles for Harvard Business Review writes: “If you sometimes feel frustrated that you’ve accomplished little during the workday, you’re not alone. She notes that you often feel like you’re busy but haven’t done anything important. Boyles added: “Of course, life is not a productivity robot where every second is maximized. “But most of us want to feel well organized and effective in pursuing key goals and solving important problems.”
My goal in writing Automate Your Busywork was to help readers manage their time better and focus on what’s important. And to do that, it’s essential to understand how cognitive activation can help shape the way you work. For example, they allow you to do more “intensive work,” where you can focus deeply on a difficult task for an extended period of time.
The right sensory cues can also help you eliminate frequent distractions like chronic multitasking and constantly checking your inbox every few minutes. Boyles writes: “Small leaks in time and energy can have a bigger negative impact than people realize. “Many of these can disrupt your flow, reinforce a negative sense of identity, and generally drain your energy.”
Check your environment
Different environments help us to improve focus and productivity, so it’s important to shape the environment to our liking. Indigo Foundation owner and Certified KonMari Consultant, Amanda Jefferson says we need to free our minds at work so we can focus on the most pressing tasks ahead.
Having a great workflow system leads to a clearer space,” she added. “That’s because clearing up mental and physical clutter opens up space and clarity.
Here are a few things to consider when testing your environment.
Sight
Nothing stimulates creativity like a clean workspace with empty counters and neat shelves. At least that’s the kind of atmosphere that turned out to be essential for me when writing my book. On the other hand, I have colleagues who feel more comfortable in an environment full of stacks and collections (picture a small book tower on the floor).
That’s why I urge people to pay attention to their unique interests and what elevates them. Ask yourself what contributes the most to your feelings of inner calm, focus, and energy, and start there.
Sound
Our brains are uniquely wired to be turned off by annoying noises. But keep in mind that different soundscapes are suitable for different people. While energizing music can help improve your mood and performance, others may prefer the constant buzz of a coffee shop or total silence.
Once you know what you like, you can fool your senses by using a white noise generator to create a more cohesive sound or using noise-canceling headphones to achieve a state of silence.
The most important thing is that you learn to identify and eliminate distracting sounds and learn what works best for you.
Taste
The morning coffee routine gives me an abundance of energy and refreshment. Not only because the caffeine injection (admittedly worked), but also because my sense of smell, sight, and taste were satisfied.
Certain foods can stimulate our creativity. For example, a recent study found that the sensory experience of softness increases our performance on tasks that require cognitive flexibility. In other words, that sweet afternoon smoothie might just be the boost you need to stay productive.
Touch
There are countless ways to stimulate your touch.
At one of our holiday parties, a coworker gave me a fidget spinner that I absolutely love. Another friend swore on weighted blankets while working on her book project. They aren’t just comforting – tangible objects can help us through our grief.
Picking up an object and noticing its texture in your hand can help trigger a quick sensation. Even something as simple as holding a stress ball with you can stimulate your senses as you work.
Odor
Perhaps nothing is as relaxing or unpleasant as the smell around us. Unpleasant odors such as a smelly refrigerator or strongly scented cleaning products can drain us of our energy; while the scents help us to relieve the feeling.
This is especially true for me.
My wife gave me a gardenia-scented candle that I love to use in my daily writing practice. I used it when writing my book and also in my morning page ritual. Not only does it boost my creativity, but it also helps me stabilize my mood for the day ahead.
While I understand the appeal of retiring to a tropical island, we can all take steps to feel more productive right here and now. While we all experience different sensory worlds, understanding our interests – and incorporating them into our professional lives – can have a powerful influence on how we experience our experiences. experience your environment 카지노사이트.