How can you create a cycle of productivity?
During your brain's prime time, focus on deeper thinking and tasks that build toward long-term goals. Save tasks that do not require much thought (even essential ones) for other times of day.SCIENCE SAYS:
Higher-order thinking releases dopamine in the brain – igniting the brain's reward network and feelings of accomplishment. While checking off mindless tasks can deliver a small dose of dopamine, challenging tasks can offer a bigger reward and motivate continued progress.BEGIN BY:
- Reviewing your to-do list: Which tasks are both cognitively challenging and part of long-term goals ("elephants")? And which tasks could you complete on autopilot ("rabbits")?
- Dedicating times when your do your best thinking to working on "elephants"
- Creating an action plan, including breaking down really big "elephants" into actionable steps
- Journaling about how daily accomplishments make you feel, or sharing with a friend
