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The Psychology of Productivity: How to Work Better, Longer, Faster
Source I—Credible Website

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The Psychology of Productivity: How to Work Better, Longer, Faster
Source I—Credible Website

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Cohen, Esther. “The Psychology of Productivity: How to Work Better, Longer, Faster.” Aerie-Hero-2.Png, 20 July 2017, www.workamajig.com/blog/psychology-of-productivity.

This article is heavily focused on the motif of productivity itself and analyzes the willpower behind actions using psychology and cognitive reasoning. It begins by addressing the relationship between willpower and productivity, then follows it up by nullifying the common myth of multitasking. The writing talks about how certain decisions affect your productivity and then concludes with psychological effects and biases to improve productivity.

The Takeaway (Main Ideas):
★ Willpower is contingent on environment and is a finite resource; "ego depletion"
★ Decision fatigue coincides with the previous idea
★ Multitasking is cognitively impossible ending in failure; goal "switching cost"
★ Energy management: frequent breaks, sleep more, vacations, diet, exercise
★ Zeigarnik Effect, Three-Dimensional Theory of Attribution, Expectancy Theory

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Study Less, Study Smart
Source II—Credible Website

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Study Less, Study Smart
Source II—Credible Website

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Allan, Patrick, and Patrick Allan. “‘Study Less, Study Smart’: The Best Ways to Retain More in Less Time.” Lifehacker, Lifehacker.com, 3 Feb. 2015, lifehacker.com/study-less-study-smart-the-best-ways-to-retain-more-1683362205.

This short article is comparable to Source VII, as the target audience is also the student demographic that need to study. It is a compiled list of methods and techniques that effectively improve study habits and overall productivity.

The Takeaway (Main Ideas):
★ Study in chunked sessions
★ Have a dedicated study area; not your bed, by your computer/tv
★ Focus on developing your recollection, not recognition that requires a trigger
★ Find a note-taking strategy that is organizes and works best for you
★ Read textbooks with the SQ3R Method—survey, question, read, recite, review
★ Two categories: facts (mnemonic device) and concepts (require review)

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How to Use Psychological Tricks to Become More Motivated, Productive, and Satisfied
Source III—Credible Website

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How to Use Psychological Tricks to Become More Motivated, Productive, and Satisfied
Source III—Credible Website

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Zoldan, Ari, and Ari Zoldan. “How to Use Psychological Tricks to Become More Motivated, Productive, and Satisfied.” Inc.com, Inc. Quantum Media Group, 27 Feb. 2018, www.inc.com/ari-zoldan/these-4-psychological-concepts-will-boost-workplace-productivity.html.

The article zones in on the idea of effectiveness—particularly in a work place environment. It splits the psychological analysis into two main parts: emotion and motivation.

The Takeaway (Main Ideas):
★ Hawthorne effect: behavior is altered in a positive way while being observed
★ Extended breaks; optimal 52 to 17 minute ratio—13% more KPI
★ Positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments

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Differential Roles of Sleep Spindles and Sleep Slow Oscillations in Memory Consolidation
Source IV—Academic Journal

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Differential Roles of Sleep Spindles and Sleep Slow Oscillations in Memory Consolidation
Source IV—Academic Journal

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Wei, Yina, et al. “Differential Roles of Sleep Spindles and Sleep Slow Oscillations in Memory Consolidation.” PLoS Computational Biology, vol. 14, no. 7, July 2018, pp. 1–32. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006322.

The article analyzes the role of non-rapid eye movement sleep, something that is universally deemed inferior to rapid eye movement sleep (REM). The slow oscillations of the synaptic mechanisms promoted the competition of the elimination of weaker memories in the presence of stronger ones, meaning that more important memories would be prioritized if preceded by NREM.

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Blazing a Path to a Better Brain
Source V—Academic Journal

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Blazing a Path to a Better Brain
Source V—Academic Journal

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Bercovici, Jeff, and Tess Townsend “Blazing a Path to a Better Brain.” Inc, vol. 38, no. 10, Dec. 2016, pp. 64–65. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=keh&AN=119552171&site=ehost-live.

In summary, the article explains ways in which you can increase mental alertness and focus, more specifically from a cognitively analytical standpoint. It explains how the human brain works in response to certain factors, whether negative or positive, in turn explaining what to do and what to avoid to ultimately assist mental focus. The idea that inversion therapy increases blood flow to the brain, theoretically improving overall cognitive function is false.

The Takeaway (Main Ideas):
★ Continuously change your sleep schedule (night hours are distraction free)
★ Caffeine (tablets), adderall, LCD micro-dosing all improve cognition/memory
★ Light color affects mindset, certain light wavelength decreases reaction time
★ Endurance exercise stimulates growth of new brain cells; fatigue resistance
★ Audio brainwave conditioning helps memorization; solid therapeutic tool

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Easy Ways to Work Smarter
Source VI—Academic Journal

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Easy Ways to Work Smarter
Source VI—Academic Journal

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Vozza, Stephanie. “15 Easy Ways to Work Smarter.” Fast Company, no. 200, Nov. 2015, pp. 94–98. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=keh&AN=110134511&site=ehost-live.

This article primarily focuses on tips and tricks to help you work more efficiently, looking at it from less of a psychological standpoint and more of a materialistic view. This change of view is helpful nonetheless and provides a set of varying ideas and concepts that can help you complete tasks, specifically work. The targeted audience is comparable to many of the other articles, that being workers or people who would like to improve their efficiency at a job considering the article directly addresses workplace environments.

The Takeaway (Main Ideas):
★ Tidy up your work space, disorder will defocus you
★ Devote 20% of your day to ruthlessly finish the highest value activities
★ Doing tasks for longer decreases productivity; pace yourself
★ Eliminate all possible distractions, even background noise/phone buzzes
★ Avoid productivity killers: cell phones, browsing, social media, extreme sleep
★ Add some sun; 10-25% better on mental function and memory recall tests
★ Make a plan, stay mobile, and motivate others, being positive

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Polyphasic Sleep Experiment
Source VII—Video

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Polyphasic Sleep Experiment
Source VII—Video

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BRIGHTSIDE. “Polyphasic Sleep Cycle Experiment.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Jan. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbFzL-0pEeU.

Overall, the video consists of a man experimenting with his daily life by converting into a polyphasic sleep cycle. The first day was a success and he managed to get quite a bit done, however following that, the first two weeks he saw a dramatic decline in motivation and performance. After that "waning period" faded, he saw a net increase in determination and performance, also having extra hours to spare, adding up to extra days by the end of the week.

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Study Smarter Not Harder
Source VIII—Evidence of Target Audience

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Study Smarter Not Harder
Source VIII—Evidence of Target Audience

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“Study Smarter Not Harder.” Learningcenter.unc.edu, learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/.

audience is students

The article is directed towards students that are seeking out more efficient methods of studying or just simply people who need to study. It focuses on subjects from a scholarly and more materialistic standpoint than psychological or scientific, however that does not mean that it is lacking entirely from either.

The Takeaway (Main Ideas):
★ Simply reading is not doing, engagement causes memorization; concept maps
★ Study cycle: previewing, attending class, reviewing, studying, checking
★ Distributed practice, create a schedule and stick to it
★ Shorter, more intense study sessions are more efficient
★ Silence is a hindrance, listen to some sort of sound
★ Inverse your train of thought, instead of finding an answer, ask a question

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Increase Productivity at Work
Source IX—Evidence of Target Audience and Graphic

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Increase Productivity at Work
Source IX—Evidence of Target Audience and Graphic

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Gaille, Brandon. “12 Great Tips to Increase Productivity at Work.” BrandonGaille.com, 17 Aug. 2013, brandongaille.com/12-great-tips-to-increase-productivity-at-work/.

The infographic shown below is directed primarily towards individuals who need to improve productivity, potentially being students or adults at work. The basic steps and concepts are similar to the slew of articles and explain productivity through a psychological and conceptual lens. The titles provide brief and to-the-point motifs that coincide with all other articles to prove credible. It also includes iconic visuals for each step/process to further increase your memorization and comprehension of the steps.

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Requirements:
★ Must be to the point (so that it itself is efficient)
★ Reaches the largest possible audience and widest demographic
★ Easy to spread and diffuse (accessible)

Potential Options for Design:
★ Infographic (My Decision)
→ Pros: Straightforward and easy to recreate; efficient; decent diffusion
→ Cons: Diffuses less than online
★ Tri-fold
→ Pros: Informative
→ Cons: Diffuses less, hard to recreate, less efficient
★ Website
→ Pros: Very informative, diffuses extremely well
→ Cons: Very time consuming to make, does not allow for digital barrier users

Primary Audience:
★ Students + Workers → Everyone who seeks to improve productivity

Ideas for Design:
★ Multi-step design; similar to infographic listed above
★ Include primary motifs with iconic visuals or mnemonics

Final Outcome:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1I-HFhZuMn-NrOP-59E2jI3iaUET5MD4z1igwuLA_kF4/edit?usp=sharing