When it comes to productivity, we could all learn a little from the process of training our canine friends.
The secrets that make dog-training successful can work just as well on the human brain. The key is to focus in on three core techniques – which are much like the core commands dog-trainers instill in our pets.
“Come” – Entice your brain with a reward
Just like when we offer our dogs a treat, we have to offer our own brains some kind of reward. If you tell yourself you’ll get to enjoy time on Facebook or your favorite snack after spending 45 minutes on your project, your brain instantly receives a hit of dopamine. Dopamine is the “reward” neurotransmitter, and it improves the brain’s concentration.
Just by simply anticipating the reward, your brain will produce more dopamine – which improves your productivity and gets you closer to the reward. It’s a positive productivity cycle. So find whatever “dog treat” motivates you to move forward, and use that to increase your productivity.
“Sit” – Create a sense of urgency so your mind can take a seat
How many times has your dog been running around in circles and you’ve just wanted her to plop down and chill?
How many times have you felt the same about your brain?
When your brain is going in different directions and struggling to “sit” down on one task, you can stimulate productivity by create a sense of urgency. We all know this feeling: Your boss is coming back to the office in half an hour, and you still haven’t finished up that report you had promised her. The sense of urgency you feel in this moment is made up of a chemical called norepinephrine. This stimulates a milder version of the “fight or flight” instinct, which tells your brain it’s time to kick into action.
There’s, of course, a balance to this. The next time you need your mind to “sit” on a task, imagine a situation (like getting in trouble with your boss) that increases your alertness but doesn’t create panic.
“Stay” – To get your mind to be still, break up your focus time
You’ve got plenty swarming all around you – text messages, meetings, emails, deadlines – all vying for your attention. Much like when your dog is in the backyard, distracted by all the squirrels, bugs, and toys, it can be hard to make your mind “stay” with so much going on.
To best tune out all the outside factors, studies show that the human brain focuses better when it breaks up its “focus time” with frequent breaks. People with the highest productivity typically focus for a little less than an hour, then stop and take a break.
So the next time your brain needs to “stay,” build in some breaks. Like any good dog, your brain needs to play, take a walk, or just relax on the couch. No dog (or human) was meant to sit at a desk for eight hours in a row.
