I have long known about the power of mind over matter from my own marathons: we used to say that races are 10% physical, 90% mental. Now, in an unusual experiment at Northumbrian University in England, competitive cyclists went beyond their limits of performance. How? The researchers tricked the athletes' brains into believing they were not yet at their peak. Are there lessons for performance management in any field of human endeavor? On the other hand, do such small deceptions work in the long run? And are they desirable, or even permissible?
Want to be more productive? Take a mini mental vacation. There is growing evidence that regular breaks from mental tasks enhance productivity and creativity. The inverse is also true: skipping breaks can lead to stress, exhaustion, and even a shorter lifespan. The most distinguished leaders in history, from Churchill to Mandela, took time out for stillness to tune their moral compass and lead more decisively. (By the way, if reading this blog post distracts you from your work and contributes to your stress level, my apologies. I hope your future times of stillness off the grid will richly compensate you for any anxiety, guilt or other pressures I have caused you here.)
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