The magnificent human brain is built to spend energy wisely, and yet importantly at the same time, our executive center (the pre-frontal cortex), the part that plans ahead, organizes, and stops us from doing things we oughtn’t do tires very easily (This area of the brain evolved last). We can use more energy than is stored or perhaps think of too many thoughts at once and use up our available resources. When the brain gets tired, research proves that we make poor decisions.
As the brain tires, we lose our emotional control systems and can say or do something we wouldn’t do otherwise. It can even go as far as our behaving like a 2-year old in a temper-tantrum. Child-like lack of emotional control is not attractive in leaders. We want to follow those with emotional stability. Here are a few strategies from Dr. David Rock’s 2009 book Your Brain at Work for you to employ to not overtire your brain.
Principle 3: A Tired Brain Makes Poorer Decisions
One: Use the energy-efficient brain system, the basal ganglia (habit storage part of your brain) to your advantage. When you repeat actions, this area of our brain records the set of actions. Take advantage of this. Create intentional habits by consciously repeating what you want to be a habit.
Two: Let’s talk about multitasking. Not all multitasking is the same – some is good, some is not so good. I’ll explain. Good is our efficient system, the basal ganglia, records repeated actions thereby creating habits. Ever driven to work and not remember getting there? Well, that’s the efficient basal ganglia at work. Not so good is when we try to problem-solve too many items for the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) – that is usually 4 items. Multitasking in our executive center leads to poorer decisions.
Ever walked into a room and then not remembered what you went into that room to do or get? The event that causes that to happen is thinking of too many things at once. When we put too much in the executive center of the brain, the PFC, our brain bumps one (or more) off. Oops. Don’t over tire your brain.
Three: The pre-frontal cortex also holds our braking system. For instance, let’s say that someone was wearing something that you disliked, the more tired your PFC, the more likely you’ll not be able to stop yourself from saying something or signaling that you do not like the choice. This is socially impacting to our relationships. Be careful when you are tired.
Four: Focus uses energy. When I am working at home, I know my focus wanes after 45 minutes. My personal strategy is to do laundry while writing or working on my coursework. When the buzzer goes off I get up and move around for about 10 minutes. My mind gets a healthy break. In short, when you feel tired walk away, working harder is most often not the answer.
Five: Place visual cues all round. Don’t tax your brain by trying to remember. Use your eyes. Your brain reads and records for you – effortlessly.
Six: Set up a capture system. Save your brain for problem-solving instead of remembering. Choose a time management system that keeps you focused on your priorities. De-clutter your mind. Go to www.smartplanner.org to view the newest planner in the market; it’s a de-clutter brain system.
Seven: Chunk details instead of working to remember too much. Our brains can remember grouped information easier than lots of pieces.
Eight: Sleep. Our brains are more active at night than in the day. Our body needs this time to process information. Sleep is key to de-stress and balancing your body’s chemicals too. And, while you hear this all the time, it bears repeating – drink lots of water.
Nine: Quiet your mind. Slow down your thoughts. Most people don’t know the power of a quiet mind. We are culturally trained to think that we are smart by thinking all the time, and the opposite is true. If one’s mind is constantly busy then you don’t have room for new ideas (new mental connections and associations) to happen. A quiet mind is a powerful mind.
Author:
Dianne Garrett
Co-founder, QLEAD Intl
http://www.qleadintl.com/
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To see Dianne's Leaders Change™ Principle 2.
To see Dianne's Leaders Change™ Principle 1.
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