Leadership tip of the week adapted from Harvard Business Review
Daydreaming (With a Purpose) Can Recharge Your Mind
Resisting distractions seems like an intuitive way to be more productive, yet research shows that excessive focus exhausts your brain.
To tap into your “default mode network” — an unfocused state in which your brain activates old memories, enhances self-awareness, and imagines creative solutions — use positive constructive daydreaming.
I begin a low-key activity, like cycling or gardening , and allow my mind to wander.
But don’t simply slip into a daydream or rehash old worries. Instead, imagine something playful, like running through the woods.
Hold the wishful image in your mind while continuing the low-key activity. In this unfocused state, your mind will recharge, connect ideas, and even find long-lost memories.
The associations your mind makes during positive constructive daydreaming should enhance your sense of self, making you a more confident leader.
So when I’m out on the Pennine hills cycling with Alastair & Mark , or digging my garden I’m really working hard recharging my mind.
Adapted from “Your Brain Can Only Take So Much Focus,” by Srini Pillay
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