Most people who are in the office really don't spend all of their time working. Most people have been found to be not working as much as 50% of the time they spend on their offices. This might be okay for people who are not expected to produce a report on their day's work. Some people who are task oriented such as reporters or anyone who has to accomplish things daily will have certainly wished they could focus more.
Focusing on work while facing the computer and browsing the net is a challenge to anyone. This article explains a popular time management technique called the 12-minute miracle that will enhance just about anyone's productivity by more than two times.
Mind Concentrates Only in Bursts
Humans were not meant to focus for long periods of time. Our hunter ancestors were keener on focusing their highly tuned senses to shorter time frames. Fending off a large predatory animal or even just hunting for meat are examples of tasks that need short bursts of concentration.
20th Century Man Needs More Time
The prehistoric man needed quick reflexes, short bursts of energy, concentration and strength to become successful. However times have changed and the modern man needs a lot more time to become successful.
Education and Work Experience have replaced brute strength and sharp reflexes. This presents a problem as evolution has shaped us to focus on shorter time frames. A good way to solve the problem in line with our evolutionary gifts is to focus on long term work in shorter periods of time.
The 12 Minute Miracle
This is where the 12 minute miracle comes in. Humans tend to lose their focus after 12 minutes. The thousands of thoughts cluttering our head will creep up to us and interrupt our focus on the task at hand. Linux programmers found out that they could keep their minds off MUD games and net browsing as long as they kept work on 12 minute intervals.
What they did was to break down work to little packets that could be done in 12 minutes or less. If they found the packets taking longer than 12 minutes to do they took a three minute break and return to the work afterwards.
Taking these 3 minute breaks increased productivity tenfold. These are true time management stories from IT managers in the industry.
A lot of people have claimed enhanced work productivity, happier times at work and even more opportunities for career growth using the 12 minute miracle. Some businessmen swear by it and some Internet Marketing writers have even adopted it in their arsenal of weapons to succeed.
You need to try it and see for yourself how this little time manage trick will enhance your work or business. You'll find that your work will be easier and gets done in half the time it used to take. You'll also find your work place less stressful and your boss less despicable.
