2024-02-20 07:47:37
Psychologists recommend that managers introduce the so-called two hour rule
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Albert Einstein arrived at the theory of relativity with “thought experiments”. Charles Darwin admitted that he had a long “mental journey” to his theory of evolution. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche would walk for hours, letting his mind wander to make sense of his ideas.
Recalling what these great scientists shared, modern psychologists want to refute bosses who evaluate the effectiveness of their employees only according to their measurable productivity. The mind, which is supposed to be creative, to solve complex problems, to give birth to new ideas, is much more productive if it is periodically allowed to soar freely, experts say.
And they explain why – a healthy dose of thinking combined with imagination enables memory consolidation. It creates a foundation
to form non-linear connections in the brain, which
develops his ability to then break down the problem into parts and approach them from a new angle.
Psychologists recommend that managers introduce the so-called two hour rule. Employees who, according to their job description, have to make creative decisions, once a week on Tuesday can “turn off” from everything for 2 hours and just think. In doing so, they remove any distractions such as phone and computer to be alone with themselves.
It is most fruitful to spend these 2 hours in
movement, for example on a walk in the park or in the mountains. It has been experimentally proven that walking helps creative thinking.
Dr. Marilyn Opezzo’s research team at the University of Santa Clara, California, conducted a series of experiments in which they subjected volunteers to various creativity tests. In one, they participated in associative games while walking. With others, they did the same, but in a sitting position.
The best results were achieved by people who were allowed to walk, whether outdoors or indoors. Even if the participants were moved around in wheelchairs indoors, they achieved better creative results than people behind desks.
The benefits of the walks remained even after the employees sat down in the office – they showed a higher level
creativity from those who were behind desks all the time.
Scientists admit that they have no explanation why walking, ie. low-intensity physical activity, even indoors, positively affects creative thinking. However, Dr. Opezzo advises managers to use this effect on the human brain and encourage their subordinates to walk.
Her recommendation to employees facing a meeting related to creative solutions is to go outside before it starts.
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