Constantly switching between tasks is a fact of a busy broker's life. Research reveals it's not what you do, but what you do in-between that's the key to productivity.
Constantly switching between tasks is a fact of a busy broker's life, but research has revealed it's not what you do, but what you do in-between that's the key to productivity.
A study has revealed running through three simple steps before moving on to your next task can mean less time wasted and help you to achieve your goals.
The study, conducted by Deakin University and psychologist Dr Adam Fraser, looked at what people did between walking out of the office and walking in their front door, and how this affected their family and home life.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is we have a terrible day at work, and we bring that mind-set home with us and take it out on our family,” said Fraser.
The study found that this flow-on effect could be counteracted by placing an activity between work and home – such as going to the gym, meeting a friend or going shopping.
This activity put a boundary between the last thing a person did at work and the first thing they would do at home, a transitional period Fraser calls ‘the third space’.
“Our life is spent rapidly transitioning between different roles and different environments, each requiring us to be different things to different people,” said Fraser.
“But my research has shown that we’re struggling to be this adaptable. So what is the missing piece to performance? It’s how we leverage transitional gap between what we do. I call this gap the third space.”
According to Fraser’s research, the effects of this transitional activity can be broken down into three simple steps, and used to transition positively between any tasks in our day-to-day lives.
Participants in Fraser’s study were asked to do three things between work and home:
- Reflect on what you have just done and how you felt about it - the good, the bad, and what you would change.
- Rest. Take the time out to relax and clear your mind.
- Reset. Think about what you will do next, what you want to achieve and how to reach those goals.
After one month of following this formula, 41% saw an improvement in their behaviour at home.
“Improving your relationships is about how you transition between work and home,” said Fraser. “It’s not what we do, it’s what we do in-between what we do that really matters.”
Fraser said this method has been used by salespeople get over rejections, leaders to move on from disappointment in one meeting to prepare for the next and even helped dieters to stick to their eating plan after opening the fridge.
“The new competitive advantage in business and life is the ability to transition rapidly, to be resilient and get over what you’ve just been through and then show up with the right thoughts, emotions and behaviour to get the most out of what is coming next.
“If you want to be a better partner, better parent, better leader, or a better employee, it’s all waiting for you in the third space.”
For the full results of the study and tips on utilizing the third space, check out Dr. Fraser's book at thethirdspace.com.au
