Being chronically interrupted has a twice as bad effect on IQ compared to being stoned. In a study at Carnegie Mellon, students who were allowed to use their phones during an exam did not perform better than the group who didn't have access to their phones.
The first study in a book on the benefits of physical activity showed that better arterial function resulting from physical activity can lead to improved brain function.
A study shows that as mental resources are expended, the ability to guard against distractions diminishes, leading to cognitive errors. While wearing noise canceling headphones is helpful, actual silences reduce errors by one third.
The speaker emphasizes the crucial role of sleep in lie detection tests, sharing a story of rejecting a test subject who had slept poorly. They also mention taking the test themselves to avoid any potential excuses from failed subjects.
The 10-minute rule suggests that instead of resisting temptation, we should allow for a small window of indulgence after which we return to the task at hand, using the rubber band analogy to explain it. It helps us balance productivity and our desire for immediate gratification, instead of setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves.
Intense focus and creativity require large stretches of uninterrupted time. The constant interruptions of technology and workplace expectations make it difficult to achieve flow and tranquility in our work.