Should You Listen to Music While You Work?
“Whistle while you work” is classic advice, straight from Snow White. Science backs it to a certain extent, too — listening to music on the treadmill, for instance, helps people persevere through their runs. But does music create a productive backdrop for more mental work? What about for any kind of…
This New Study Busts a Myth About Deadlines
Imagine this common workplace dilemma: A deadline is looming but it’s going to be a struggle to get the work done on time. Do you rush to finish the project by the deadline, burning yourself out and likely producing work that’s less than your best, or do you ask your…
This Is the Best Way to Take Notes, According to Science
In school, we invariably spend a lot of time taking notes, yet chances are good most of us never think much about our technique. You put pen to paper or whip out the laptop. What else is there to it? Quite a lot, answers science. By using a few research-backed…
Need to Make an Excuse? Don’t Say “I Don’t Have Time”
Given how slammed everyone says they are these days, you’d think that begging off an invitation by claiming you’re too busy would be met with understanding (if not commiseration). But new research suggests you should think twice before using busyness as an excuse. Doing so, the study found, can seriously…
The 2-Minute Rule Can Help You Beat Procrastination and Get Things Done
We talk a lot about science-backed methods for improving productivity and conquering procrastination. There are a lot of methods, hacks, and techniques that can change your bad habits for good. But the 2-minute rule is different. Creating new habits is hard, restructuring your work process is hard, change in general…
A Subtle Suggestion May Be More Powerful Than Direct Instruction
You might think that the best way to get someone to do something is to flat-out tell them. This makes sense, but unless you have actual authority over that person (because you’re their parent, boss, or teacher, for instance) it’s not the best way to go. It turns out that…
Mentoring: Why You Should Help
It is obvious as to why someone would want a coach, but I thought I would list a few reasons why being a mentor is something that you need to seriously consider.
Google Spent Years Studying Effective Bosses. Now They Teach New Managers These 6 Things | Inc.com
The transition from individual contributor to manager is not an easy one. In many cases, the skills that got you the promotion will not be the same ones that make you effective as a manager. Luckily, we have organizations like Google that have spent years researching this transition, to help us demystify the secrets…
Arrange Your To-Do List According to the 1-3-5 Method
The to-do list is the original productivity hack. Though tried and true, there are plenty of ways for your to-do list to sabotage your schedule rather than free it. It’s all in how you plan. Knock out your most important tasks with the 1-3-5 rule. Source: Arrange Your To-Do List According…
7 SOURCES TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY
Feeling stumped? Uninspired? Fresh out of ideas? Thanks to the wonderful gift that is the World Wide Web, creative inspiration is just a few clicks away. These are some of our favorite sources to get our creative juices flowing. FOR YOUR FOCUS Coffitivity For some people, the first step to…