The Productivity Paradox

Human beings don’t work like computers; they can’t operate at high speeds continuously, running multiple programs at once.|People perform at their peak when they alternate between periods of intense focus and intermittent renewal. Employees can increase their effectiveness by practicing simple rituals that refuel their energy, such as taking a daily walk to get an|emotional breather or turning off e-mail at prescribed times so they can concentrate. If companies allow and encourage employees|to create and stick to such rituals, they will be rewarded with a more engaged, productive, and focused workforce.