Feeling unproductive? Mix these two activities to 10x your results

How to generate a bundle of fresh ideas

I switch off my laptop and stop working because it feels pointless.

It started well. I woke up feeling good and dived into work. But then I hit some obstacles and my progress slowed. I moved on to another tough project and that depleted my energy too. I started to spiral.

Next thing I know it’s 60 minutes later and I’ve done nothing but waste time on social media and flicking between files. Now I’m in a deep pit of despair. I’ve added wasted time to my work frustrations.

I’m left with no choice but to finish work early and go for a run. At least that means I’ll achieve something in the day.

I didn’t realise I was about to learn a crucial lesson about how to 10x my productivity!

Solve your problems through the side door

I went for a run to switch off and not think about work. But then something weird happened.

I’m running and then without my permission, ideas started flowing. Five workable ideas that could tackle the problems I’d spend all day wrestling with. I rushed home and in 30 minutes had implemented them all.

It was like magic.

4 hours at a desk trying to grind out some progress. Result: nothing.

30 minutes running. 5 solutions. Result: massive progress.

Sometimes pushing harder at our tasks feels like shoulder charging a solid door. It does nothing but cause us pain. We need to find the side entrance that is wide open.

To do this we need to understand the different brain states.

Why working doesn’t always feel like working

When your brain is active and thinking, trying to solve problems it is in a beta state. This is a very effective brain state for a lot of our daily tasks.

In the beta state you are focused but can get stuck in a rut. You have limited creativity and are unlikely to discover new approaches.

When you relax, the brain waves slow and you enter the alpha state. This is the place of reflection and mind wandering. You are no longer focused on a set path and can discover fresh ideas.

This is why you have great ideas in the shower. Hot running water causes you to relax.

We ignore the value of this brain state because it doesn’t feel like work. It doesn’t feel hard. Imagine the response of your boss to you relaxing at your desk!

But what would happen though if you judged an activity by the results rather than how much it felt like work?

The power of switching between brain states

I am using this experience to my advantage now. I mix up my activities to change my brain state. I focus on problem-solving and completing tasks in a beta state sitting at my desk. Then I mix it up and go for a walk and switch off for 30 minutes.

The key is not to check if the walk is producing new ideas, which sends you back into the beta brain state. Tell yourself you are not working, you are switching off and relaxing. The relaxed brain will then do all the creative idea generating for you!

It is hard though, I still feel a bit guilty. It feels like I’m not really working. I keep reminding myself of the value of a new idea. It is worth more than 4 hours of grind!

Two practical ways to do this:

This isn’t a natural way to approach your working day. You are unlikely to get encouragement from others to do it. So you will help. Here are two suggestions:

When planning your day schedule different types of activities. To switch your brain state.

For example, always go for a walk at 12 noon.

Walking is the easiest way to get into an alpha state. Other physical activities that need no active thinking can work too. For example household chores or gardening.

Warning: anything involving screens such as won’t have the desired effect though. Such as watching Youtube or scrolling your phone

2. Whenever you get stuck and feel frustrated, switch to a relaxing activity.

Go for a walk and then return to work and see what ideas have bubbled up.

This requires more self-awareness and is tricky to do in practice. Write a reminder on a post-it note next to your laptop. ‘Stuck? Change brain state — go for a walk!’

It is so powerful to learn how to switch brain states. You can take your focused thinking, add in fresh ideas and 10x your day!

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