Use neuroscience to get shit done

In his book, Our Brains at Work, Dr. David Rock has a great metaphor about our brains being like a stage.

Here's the visual:

The Stage = our prefrontal cortex (PFC)

Our prefrontal cortex is a small part of our brains in charge of our deep thinking processes. When we analyse, consider, reflect, create - we’re using the PFC.

Why this matters: Our stage isn’t that big. Only 5-7 ‘actors’ can be on our stage at any given time.

What this means for getting shit done:

• 📍Focus on one task at a time

• 🚫 Minimise distractions - keep other actors off the stage.

• ✍️Write things down! This gives your brain permission to put the task back into the audience and not use energy "holding it" it on stage

The actors = our current thoughts

The actors are the things that are holding our attention - what we're focused on. Again, we only have the space for 5-7 actors...and yet all of us know how many things demand our attention.

Why this matters: We can only focus on one actor at a time. While we might flick quickly between them, it’s impossible to focus our PFC on two things at the same time.

What this means for getting shit done:

• 🤔 Be intentional about which tasks or thoughts you bring on stage. Prioritise prioritising. Ask: What actually deserves my attention right now?

• ✉️ Dont check your emails consistently throughout the day.

• 🧺 Treat email like laundry - do it in blocks at set times.
  

The Lighting = our energy

The lighting in this metaphor is our energy. Our stage (PFC) requires a lot of light (energy). In fact, 20% of our body’s energy goes to lighting up this stage. Our brains have gotten really good at conserving energy. They want to save our precious energy at all costs. Learning new things takes a lot of lighting.

💪 Think of your brain like any other muscle. It gets tired with use.

Why this matters: Our spotlight is limited. It fades quickly if pulled in multiple directions. Distractions, multitasking and/or emotional noise backstage can knock the current actor off the stage.

What this means for getting shit done:

• 🔋 Identify your most brain-draining tasks and do those when you have the most energy.

• ✅️ Chunk your work into types of brain use, not projects.

• 🔦 Your energy light can only shine on something for around 45 minutes (max) before it needs a recharge.

• 🌞 Breaks are mandatory from a neuroscience perspective. Think of your energy like a battery, it needs to recharge. Outside breaks are better than inside ones.

The Audience = our inner world

The audience watching the stage is information from our inner world: our thoughts, memories, imagining. And unlike regular shows, our audience is constantly interacting with our actors.

Why this matters: We all have different audiences. We can be looking at the same actors on stage and have vastly different reactions.

What this means for getting shit done:

• 🧠We only have one brain. We don't have a work brain and a home brain. Our lives outside of work, impact directly how our stage, lighting and actors show up.
  

• Manage your backstage. Off-stage actors (audience members) will always be there. Use tools like to-do lists, calendars or voice memos to store ideas or reminders to keep them from jumping on stage uninvited.