Leave Your Desk Working on Conceptual Tasks
Time can affect how well you do certain types of work. Likewise, your environment can also influence certain tasks. If the job requires brainstorming, consider getting up from your desk.
At 99U, Art Markman says we have a “thinking” system and a “action” system. Some tasks are action-oriented, while others require conceptual thinking. For optimal performance of these tasks, consider proximity to your workplace:
Physical and mental distance affects the way you think about things. When you are around something, you think about it specifically and focus on ways to interact with it. Closeness to one’s work employs the system of doing. When you are far from it, you think about it more conceptually. Distance engages the thinking system.
Come to think of it, you may already be doing this. During brainstorming sessions, I sometimes instinctively get up and walk around. Knowing that it does serve a specific purpose can help you use it to optimize tasks.
The full article is full of tips for getting the most out of your thinking and acting system, so check it out at the link below.
Thinking thinking versus acting thinking: choose one (and only one) | 99U