Productivity Tip: Stop ‘Working So Hard’
In the early 1990s, three psychologists began studying the habits of a two groups of violinists at the Universität der Künste.
The first group was hand-picked by the music teacher as advanced violinists — those who had a future in professional performance. The second group was comprised of average violinists — those passionate about playing but falling short of skill level in the advanced group.
The researchers asked each violinist to keep strict diaries of how they spent their time — each 24 hour period divided into 50 minute segments.
Their goal was to answer one question: Why are the advanced players better than the average players?
The Results
Surprisingly both groups were shown to spend the same amount of time each week on music: 50 hours on average.
The major difference was found in how the players scheduled their practice time.
The average players spread their work evenly throughout the day. The advanced players, on the other hand, consolidated their work into two specific periods — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. They completely separated leisure from work.
This change has several crucial implications:
1) Maximum efficiency
Switching between different tasks (and between work and leisure) takes time and energy. Multitasking is the opposite of productive.
2) Relaxation
We need quality relaxation time in order to function well. If we don’t get it, stress hormones like cortisol are released, causing our brains and bodies to function poorly.
This also creates a false sense of busyness. You may feel like you’ve been working hard all day, but in reality you’ve just been working inefficiently.
Consider the difference between jogging all day vs. running at full-speed for a specific period and then resting (twice).
What does this mean?
By segmenting your day into defined work and play periods, you will live a more fulfilling, relaxed life + get more done. This is the definition of ‘winning’.
Try this out! What work period durations & frequencies work best for you?
Image by deanaia
IJC said on 03.06.2013
dibs asian girl
Ryan said on 03.06.2013
As a heavy procrastinator, I tend to make little to no musical or study progress if I have access to the internet, a guitar or piano. I’ll end up ‘working’ until I need to sleep, only then do I actually get work finished, so I’ll definitely have to try this out!
FindYourGreatness said on 03.06.2013
Short and sweet. So true man. Is that yo girl in the pic?
Jordan Lejuwaan said on 03.06.2013
Nope. Mine is cuter :)
UpbeatBrain said on 03.07.2013
Hey Jordan! Your post explains some of the value in one of my mantras: Work hard, play hard. By drawing a line between work and play, we get so, so, so much more done in both areas. Thanks for your take on this. Also, thanks for the violin story. Very interesting!
Tobias Knudsen said on 03.07.2013
This really must be that one self improvement/motivational blog post that actually provokes me to change my habits and do something about stuff. Cause quite frankly this is exactly my problem, and I didn’t completely understand it untill I got it in writing. Now i’m just wondering how to make time for the ‘play’ period so that I can stop being so counterproductive while working(by reading about how not to be for example).
Thx a lot! :)
William said on 03.07.2013
Hey i love this post, I’ve been experimenting with a book called Getting Things Done by David Allen, it’s great although i’m still only starting to engage with the models in there, this reminds me of some of the discussion in that book. I was wondering if you had some links or a book recommendation for the experiment you discussed. I’d like to use the experiment for a topic in a essay i’m writing for university and it would be a great help.
Thanks and love
Razique said on 03.08.2013
Excellent, thanks for that Jordan – I should try that and not comment such post while I’m supposed to work :)
take care
David said on 03.08.2013
I’ve been trying to live like this for the past few years (strictly seperating work and liesure) and when it works its amazing! Very little stress and higher productivity. But I’m a recovering procrastinator, so I’m still in the process of making this my modus operandi [-:
hulklol said on 03.08.2013
Well Jordan, but what happens when the Work you do is also the Play? I mean, how can I separate working form relaxing when the are practically the same??? (me is confused :P)
Edward Bernays said on 03.08.2013
I think that you and I may differ on this point. I believe that ones’ work should become their play, and vis versa. When this happens, you can truly survive and thrive in this capitalist society we live in. Also, pointing to one study to prove a point is misleading to say the least. Likewise, your discussion on the results is lacking. Give me the numbers man! Anywho, don’t want to take away from the overall positive message of your post, just wanted to say this one was rather airy.
Frälsaren said on 03.09.2013
Actually, you’ll be a lot more efficient if you’re playing when you’re working… as in being inspired and working on things that you actually consider worthwhile and stimulating, rather than mindmumbing work which you do just because you want something else out of it.
Always have fun in whatever you’re doing, you can make anything fun. And if you can’t find a way to have fun with something, don’t do it, it’s a waste of time.
Likewise, playing and relaxing is work, maintenance work to be more specific. It’s just as important in the process as active working time is. If you don’t relax and play, you can’t focus and you can’t work hard, therefore they are crucial tasks.
And if you don’t work, your mind can’t rest, which makes it a crucial part of relaxation.
The ideal situation where you have both fun and discipline in every daily activity.
THAT is the definition of winning.
Sparky said on 03.09.2013
This study is analyzed a book called “Talent Is Overrated” which I highly recommend for anyone here.
casper724 said on 03.12.2013
That was a good read. Thanks.
Lauren said on 03.14.2013
Hi Jordan,
This is a great post. I have recently been trying to work at full speed but it’s failing me – I’m actually getting ill! I guess it was something I was trying out but thanks to your post I will definitely be going back to how I work best – when I have ‘play time’ and relaxation planned into my week.
Thanks so much for sharing, look forward to more.
Lauren
Alex Birkett said on 03.15.2013
Love it. I’ve been telling people this for years. They ask how I can spend so little time studying at the library and get such good grades, and I always say, it’s because while I’m there, it’s crunch time. I hear people talk about spending 12, 13, 14 hour days in the library and getting nothing done, and laugh, because they don’t realize they were on Reddit for 70% of that time.
Two principles help me get through work more efficiently: Pareto’s Law and taking intermittent breaks between focused sessions of work.
UndeadRadi0 said on 03.26.2013
I think probably one of the best things of separating work and play is that you can choose an activity to reward yourself after you’ve put in the work. That’s what I try to do anyway and it makes me want to be more productive so that I have time for the fun stuff.
http://bit.ly/QMzkRj