Read

Why Getting Distracted May Be the Key to Productivity

Published:
February 14, 2024
August 15, 2019
Productivity-Hack|Productivity-Hack-Square

We live in a culture that glorifies being busy. We announce to-do lists with pride, we one-up colleagues who bemoan working over-time. We say, “You think you’re tired? Well, I slept for four hours last night!” We’ve mastered the art of complaining and boasting at the same time. Being overworked, stressed out, and in high demand has become a symbol of success.

There’s something about feeling busy that feeds our ego. “Feeling busy and overworked may make us feel in demand and scarce, and therefore more valuable and important,” said Silvia Belleza, a professor of marketing at Columbia Business School. She led a study on new marketing tactics that target the busy lives of consumers as a status symbol. Being busy and in-demand must mean that we are valuable, right?

Naturally, conquering a full calendar and packed schedule makes us feel productive. It feels good to be accomplishing tasks and to be making strides professionally. That busyness, however, has consequences: it’s called burnout. You may have heard of it.

Burnout is the result of being busy for too long. It saps creativity, zaps productivity, and makes everyday tasks feel 10 times harder. For many of us who equate busyness with success, taking a break to avoid burnout is out of the question. But believe it or not, breaks are necessary for success, and there are some real facts to back it up.

Pushing ourselves to work non-stop for hours on end may seem like the best way to accomplish goals, but science suggests otherwise. Actually, working without breaks can lead to poor work performance. In one recent study, Dr. Simone Richard revealed that creative discoveries occur after a period of refraining from task-related conscious thought. Basically, giving your mind a break from the work at hand actually produces better results.

According to this study, allowing the conscious mind to wander is a form of “incubation,” a stage in the creative process where attention is diverted away from work. Incubation is followed by illumination, where a creative idea flashes into your mind and ultimately facilitates your work. Dr. Richard explained, “Engaging in an undemanding task during an incubation period led to significant increases in creative solutions to the target problems as compared to the demanding task, rest, and no break conditions.”

Consider it for yourself — have you ever discovered or realized a solution to a problem while taking a shower or going for a walk? Dr. Richard argues that stepping away allows the subconscious mind to continue processing your work in a stress-free manner. After a period of distraction, your subconscious presents a solution to your conscious thoughts.

It’s a theory that is backed by famous creators. Author J.K. Rowling conceived the Harry Potter series on a train, saying, “The idea for Harry Potter fell into my head.” Musician Paul McCartney came up with “Let It Be” in a state between deep sleep and insomnia.

All of this suggests that learning when to take a break is vital for work performance. Knowing when you’ve reached your limit means cutting yourself some slack and excluding yourself from the influence of our busy-obsessed culture. When you hit a wall and your wheels are spinning, get distracted. Take a walk, practice guitar, listen to music, draw, organize your workspace, talk with friends, prepare a meal — whatever it is, let your mind wander.

Rest is not the antithesis of work, it’s an equal partner. When we balance work with rest, we allow our creativity to reach its fullest potential. Give yourself permission to take a break and know it’ll benefit you in the long run.

Creators:
Lillian Fallon
Published:
February 14, 2024
August 15, 2019
On a related note...
How I Loosened Anxiety’s Grip on Me

How I Loosened Anxiety’s Grip on Me

Jenny Hubert

Patience Helps Us Slow Down When Things Speed Up

Patience Helps Us Slow Down When Things Speed Up

Sophie Caldecott

Where Grit Comes From and Where It Can Take You

Where Grit Comes From and Where It Can Take You

Mariah Cressy

How to Be More Eco-Friendly at the Office

How to Be More Eco-Friendly at the Office

Marye Colleen Larme

A Carnivore’s Guide to Lenten Fridays

A Carnivore’s Guide to Lenten Fridays

Kate Fowler

The Secret to Sticking with Your New Year's Resolutions

The Secret to Sticking with Your New Year's Resolutions

Bond Warner Strong

4 Tips for Sharing a WFH Space with a Spouse

4 Tips for Sharing a WFH Space with a Spouse

Sarah Coffey

What is Codependency and Why is it Dangerous?

What is Codependency and Why is it Dangerous?

Patty Breen

How to Rebuild After Divorce

How to Rebuild After Divorce

Patty Breen

Email Etiquette Every Twentysomething Should Know

Email Etiquette Every Twentysomething Should Know

Victoria Rabuse

Why I Spent a Month at a Monastery After Graduation

Why I Spent a Month at a Monastery After Graduation

Kate Fowler

Developing Your Listening Skills Can Be a Game-Changer

Developing Your Listening Skills Can Be a Game-Changer

Khang Tran

How an Epic Bike Ride Taught Me Nothing is Impossible

How an Epic Bike Ride Taught Me Nothing is Impossible

Kelly Sheredy

Are You in a Codependent Relationship with Netflix?

Are You in a Codependent Relationship with Netflix?

Hunter Cates

3 Action Steps to Learn a New Language

3 Action Steps to Learn a New Language

Hannah Smith

Building Furniture & Community for the Neighborhood

Building Furniture & Community for the Neighborhood

Grotto

How Welding is Transforming Lives in Skid Row

How Welding is Transforming Lives in Skid Row

Grotto

What I Believe About the Things I Tell Myself

What I Believe About the Things I Tell Myself

Anna White

How I Paid Off Student Loans (And Found Peace During It)

How I Paid Off Student Loans (And Found Peace During It)

Allison Barrick

How to Stop Feeling Like an Imposter

How to Stop Feeling Like an Imposter

Molly Cruitt

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.