TMI: Is Your Brain About to Explode from Information Overload?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AJ Malik on July 14, 2010 at 4:28pm

How about just daily lunchtime siestas to let our brains recover from TMI and bounce back for more?

Permalink Reply by Lori Winterfeldt on July 15, 2010 at 9:42am

Without reading the article I can tell you OF COURSE we need breaks to mentally recharge. It's not bunk, but I don't think it's brilliant.

Permalink Reply by Andrew Krzmarzick on July 19, 2010 at 12:49pm

Hey Lori - It seems really obvious, doesn't it? But I think there's a growing expectation that we do more with the same amount of time due to the glut of information-producing tools. I know I feel like I am definitely 'on' non-stop from sun-up to sun-down.

Permalink Reply by Doris Tirone on July 20, 2010 at 9:20am

If one does manual labor, no one challenges those physical breaks needed and given at midmorning and midafternoon. Those breaks gives the body a chance to rejeuvenate. Breaks from work give our brains a chance to "recharge". Just like the "power nap", our brains can use rests from heavy work!

I love the idea of lunchtime siestas but caution against the potention abuse this notion might stimulate! The Europeans have used "siestas" for decades but they also return to their workplaces after those siestas ... perhaps working from 3pm-6pm or later. I guess it's a question of how one puts in their time with the employer. The "siesta" notion would be a great option for employees to choose, if it suited their lifestyle ... just like telework, cafeteria benefit plans, and the like! Thinking outside the box here!

Permalink Reply by Joan R. Resnick on July 28, 2010 at 11:34am

Thanks for the article. I've been studying the psychology of human excellence and performance for the past 5 years. I've connected with a brain scientist at our local University to compare concepts and findings. What I understand is that what we've learned about the brain in the last 3 years alone is exponential compared to all that has been learned before. It's exciting and has many implications for how we learn, work, play, rest, and actually create our future.

I remember the rallying cry of "work smarter, not harder" and believe that brain science and it's direct applications to leadership, management, work and environment design, offers our greatest opportunity for advancement and could even lead to the elusive "work & life balance".

This is a rich area to explore. Concepts about how we age and how we learn, how we perform are ready for major updates related to the brain's neuro-plasticity (ability to heal, change limiting thinking patterns, etc.

My question is, are we ready to apply what we're learning about the brain function into creating innovative, holistic work environments? Are we able to lead and manage our human capacity to its fullest advantage and what would have to change in order to do so?

Here's an example. Ask yourself "what stops you?" from achieving what you or or your organization wants to achieve. It's amazing how this question can reveal the limiting beliefs and assumptions that have held our creative thinking and innovation hostage.

What kind of responses do you have to this important questions? "What stops you from having what you want?". I'd love to hear your response and discuss how this applies on a broader scale to organizational effectiveness, vibrancy, and results.

My best to you,
Joan