The Myth of Multi-Tasking
We live in an era of hyper responsiveness. We feel productive when we clear our inbox, but as Stanford University research has shown, heavy multitaskers were actually worse at multitasking than those who do a single thing at a time. They were less able to filter out irrelevant information and were slower at switching from one task to another. They were busy, but they were not effective.
Defining the Win
Being busy is a state of activity. Being productive is a state of accomplishment. At Brick and Mortar, we have designed our entire culture around the Win the Day philosophy. This means moving from low value busywork to high leverage output.
The Presence Trap
Many professionals fall into the trap of thinking that being at a desk for eight hours equals a productive day. This is a carryover from the industrial age. In the knowledge economy, your value is determined by the quality of your ideas and the speed of your execution. If you spend four hours in a state of deep focus, you have likely provided more value than someone who spent ten hours half working while distracted by home life or office politics.
The Identity of a High Performer
A high performer does not work 80 hours a week. They work 40 hours with 100 percent intensity. To achieve this, you need environmental cues. Entering a Brick & Mortar space signals to your brain that it is time to produce. You also need a deep work sanctuary, whether it is a private office, a dedicated focus station, or a sit-stand desk, these environments create a physical barrier from the shallow work that dominates home offices. Finally, you need radical focus. Eliminating interruptions is vital. Research from the University of California, Irvine, shows that the average worker is interrupted every 11 minutes and it takes 23 minutes to get back to the original task.
Strategic FAQ
How do I stop being busy?
Start by identifying your Big Win for the day before you check a single email.
Does workspace design affect focus?
Absolutely. Natural light, ergonomic setups, and a lack of domestic clutter are proven to extend the duration of flow states.
Accomplish More by Doing Less
Focus isn’t a feeling; it’s a byproduct of your environment. Join a community of high performers who step into a focused workspace to reclaim their productivity—so they can go home and actually be home.
Reclaim your focus today
Our 24/7 access and spaces in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Glen Ellyn, Deerfield, and Park Ridge are built for the professional who is done with the busy cycle and ready for real results. Tour a space designed for focus.
Sources:
- Stanford University: Research on the Effects of Multitasking.
- University of California, Irvine: The Cost of Interrupted Work.
