{"id":84205,"date":"2022-11-08T23:18:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T03:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=84205"},"modified":"2022-11-22T16:00:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T20:00:39","slug":"your-brain-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/your-brain-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Brain at Work: How to Work Smarter All Day Long"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>What&#8217;s the best way to start your work day? How should you handle stressful situations at work? How can you break through a creative impasse?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Your Brain at Work<\/em>, David Rock argues that, by understanding the neuroscience behind the brain&#8217;s functions, you can increase your productivity by working with your brain\u2019s natural rhythms.&nbsp;He shares the neuroscience you need to know and some strategies to optimize this knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading for our overview of this interesting and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/practical-books\/\">practical book<\/a> that will help you get the most out of your work day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-overview-of-your-brain-at-work\">Overview of <em>Your Brain at Work<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock specializes in <em>neuroleadership<\/em>\u2014a term he coined to describe the use of neurological research to determine the best practices in leadership. He co-founded the Neuroleadership Institute to advise business leaders on how to improve their effectiveness and to generate productive work environments in their organizations; companies like NASA and IBM are among Rock\u2019s clients. While his ideas are primarily aimed at people in leadership positions, many of his strategies can apply to workers at any level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Your Brain at Work<\/em>, Rock uses an extended metaphor of the theater to illustrate his ideas: The brain is the stage, your thoughts are the audience, and actors perform his methods in hypothetical work scenarios. Instead of incorporating the theater metaphor, we\u2019ve chosen to focus on Rock\u2019s theories underpinning it. We\u2019ve organized his strategies into five sections: energizing your brain, regulating your emotions, collaborating with coworkers, unblocking your creativity, and keeping your focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Energize Your Brain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock claims that, when you\u2019re aware of the fluctuation of your brain\u2019s energy levels, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/plan-your-day\/\">plan your day<\/a> around your ebbs and flows, enhancing your productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s work environment often requires a series of cognitive tasks that drain the brain\u2019s energy rapidly, decreasing productivity. Cognitive tasks occur in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/what-are-the-regions-of-the-brain\/\">area of the brain<\/a> called the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/what-does-the-prefrontal-cortex-do-in-the-brain\/\">prefrontal cortex<\/a><\/em> and include complex processes like critical thinking, problem-solving, and planning. When performing a cognitive task, your brain summons a large, interconnected neural network that includes all related data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your brain is fully energized, sorting through your neural network is fast and easy. But, if you\u2019re running low on energy, your brain struggles to focus on what\u2019s important and can get distracted or overwhelmed with tangential information within that network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use the Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock argues that, by understanding how cognitive tasks use energy, you can make predictions about what times of day will require the most energy and adequately prepare for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Start your workday by prioritizing your tasks.<\/li><li>Plan to work on your most important and energy-consuming task before other tasks.<\/li><li>Alternate high- and low-energy tasks.<\/li><li>Manage your energy levels directly. If you notice your brain tiring during an important task, or, if you can\u2019t schedule a long break, you can try to increase your brain\u2019s current energy levels by replenishing your glucose and oxygen.<ul><li>To refuel on glucose, eat or drink something sweet.<\/li><li>To refuel on oxygen, take a walk or do some other light exercise.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Regulate Your Brain\u2019s Emotions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to accurately manage your productivity, be aware of how the emotional part of your brain influences your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/mental-energy\/\">mental energy<\/a>. Rock explains that, while cognitive tasks occur in the front of the brain, emotions are processed in the center regions, collectively called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/what-does-the-limbic-system-do\/\">limbic system<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock classifies the signals we receive from our limbic system as <em>toward<\/em> and<em> away <\/em>emotions because they pull us emotionally either toward something or away from it.&nbsp;<em>Toward <\/em>emotions are positive feelings such as curiosity and happiness. When we experience <em>toward<\/em> emotions, our limbic system gives us a boost of energy. <em>Away<\/em> emotions are negative feelings like anxiety, fear, and sadness. Our cortisol and adrenaline levels heighten when we feel <em>away<\/em> emotions, and our brain wants to avoid the task. Since avoidance is not an option in most cases, we expend even more energy forcing ourselves to work on the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use the Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock illustrates that mindfulness\u2014self-awareness\u2014is the first step to harnessing your emotions for productivity. You have to be able to identify when you\u2019re feeling <em>away<\/em> or <em>toward <\/em>emotions and then anticipate situations likely to trigger these emotions. After recognizing your emotional response, you can decide whether to use <em>toward<\/em> emotions to motivate you on a task or prevent <em>away <\/em>emotions from disrupting your task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before an Emotional Situation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock claims that you can minimize <em>away<\/em> emotions in stressful situations by preparing beforehand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Carefully select which situations you participate in.<\/li><li>Adjust your situation.<\/li><li>Deny <em>away<\/em> emotions your attention.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">During an Emotional Situation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>We need to take different approaches <em>during<\/em> an emotional situation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Express your emotion.<\/li><li>Suppress your emotion.<\/li><li>Reinterpret your emotion: This is the approach that Rock believes works best in a professional setting. You can decrease your <em>away<\/em> emotions by naming them and then reframing them in an optimistic light.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Your Brain to Collaborate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even after you have a grasp on monitoring your prefrontal cortex\u2019s energy levels and moderating your limbic system, your productivity can still be impacted by the people around you. While you can\u2019t control the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/thoughts-feelings-and-behaviors\/\">emotions and actions<\/a> of others, you can understand which work situations trigger intense <em>away <\/em>emotions (and thus drain energy) as well as methods to mitigate these situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You feel the most threatened at work when you encounter change you weren\u2019t prepared for. Your brain functions best when it\u2019s at an equilibrium, so any change\u2014big or small\u2014puts your brain into a state of dissonance, or disorder. It takes time and energy to regain your balance. If your brain doesn\u2019t have an adequate amount of either, you\u2019re more likely to respond with unchecked emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For leaders, it\u2019s especially important to understand how unexpected change can cause threat responses in employees and diminish them when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use the Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock points to two things that can upset the brain\u2019s equilibrium, which leaders need to be particularly aware of: feedback and irregular procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Giving Feedback<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Feedback is inherently stressful. Here are some ways Rock recommends that leaders reduce the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-give-feedback-to-employees-2\/\">stress of feedback<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Regularly provide positive feedback. The brain interprets positive feedback as things that are stable or even better than expected.<\/li><li>Consider <em>public<\/em> positive feedback. When people receive praise in front of their peers, it creates an even stronger dopamine response. Be deliberate in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/providing-feedback-to-employees\/\">providing feedback to employees<\/a> equally.<\/li><li>Normalize learning curves. One of the most significant pieces of feedback for an employee in a new position is reassurance that an adjustment period is normal.<\/li><li>Focus \u201cnegative\u201d feedback on the goal, not the employee\u2019s weaknesses. Rock suggests asking the employee to reflect on how they can reach a specific goal.<\/li><li>Be transparent. When feedback results in corrective measures, Rock says you should explain your reasoning and make sure the other party understands the full context of a situation.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Establishing Regular Procedures<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>To reduce potential threat responses in employees, Rock recommends that leaders stabilize as many aspects of a job as possible. The brain is in its comfort zone when it knows what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some practices you can implement to establish consistency:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Develop routines or templates for recurring tasks.<\/li><li>Show your face in meetings. Facial expressions and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/body-language-crucial-conversations\/\">body language<\/a> help people understand what we\u2019re communicating more fully.<\/li><li>Share goals and accomplishments across departments.<\/li><li>Create spaces where people can share their personal lives.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Reactivate Your Brain\u2019s Creativity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Creativity is a cognitive function that requires a significant amount of mental energy. When your brain doesn\u2019t have an adequate amount of energy or loses focus, you can experience a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/overcoming-creative-blocks\/\">creative block<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Creativity is the process of taking various networks in our brains and creating new combinations. Rock calls the new network <em>insight<\/em> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-overcome-mental-blocks\/\">mental block<\/a> to finding new connections an <em>impasse<\/em>. An <em>impasse <\/em>can occur when the prefrontal cortex is low on energy or the limbic system is distracting you from going through your networks efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use The Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock\u2019s advice for finding a creative breakthrough is not to chase after inspiration but to methodically break the <em>impasse<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step is to identify whether the source of the impasse is a lack of energy or an influx of <em>away<\/em> emotions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If the <em>impasse <\/em>stems from deficient energy, switch to a different, low-energy task.<\/li><li>If you\u2019re feeling too overwhelmed by <em>away<\/em> emotions, let your mind go idle for a while.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The second step is to reflect on your previous solutions. The final step is to try something outside of the pattern you\u2019ve identified, and, once you have an idea, take immediate action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Focus Your Brain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Rock writes that the key to understanding focus is to recognize how the brain processes various tasks and apply strategies that support the brain\u2019s system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Most tasks at work require several different brain functions, and your focus shifts as you operate each one. Thus, if you need to do something accurately and creatively, Rock argues that you shouldn\u2019t multitask. Neuroscientists have observed that, when you add a second task, your brain experiences <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/dual-task-interference\/\">dual-task interference<\/a><\/em>, in which each task prevents the other from being done properly, and the efficiency and quality of both tasks are cut almost in half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Use the Science<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To avoid <em>dual-task interference<\/em>, Rock provides some approaches to keeping your brain focused on one task at a time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Reduce distractions. <\/strong>Put your devices away when you\u2019re trying to concentrate.<\/li><li><strong>Follow a routine.<\/strong> Creating routines can help you keep your focus, as you don\u2019t have to waste energy thinking about next steps.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What&#8217;s the best way to start your work day? How should you handle stressful situations at work? How can you break through a creative impasse? In Your Brain at Work, David Rock argues that, by understanding the neuroscience behind the brain&#8217;s functions, you can increase your productivity by working with your brain\u2019s natural rhythms.&nbsp;He shares the neuroscience you need to know and some strategies to optimize this knowledge. Keep reading for our overview of this interesting and practical book that will help you get the most out of your work day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":84209,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,160,30],"tags":[807],"class_list":["post-84205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-books","category-science","category-work","tag-your-brain-at-work","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Your Brain at Work: How to Work Smarter All Day Long - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In Your Brain at Work, David Rock helps you grasp the neuroscience that can help you boost your productivity. Here&#039;s an overview of the book.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/your-brain-at-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Your Brain at Work: How to Work Smarter All Day Long\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In Your Brain at Work, David Rock helps you grasp the neuroscience that can help you boost your productivity. 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