Let’s Rethink Productivity
We’ve been told that a “full day’s work” means eight straight hours of focus, output, and availability. But the truth is—no one can sustain that kind of mental and emotional energy all day, every day.
In fact, research shows that the average employee has only about 3–4 truly productive hours in a day. A University of Illinois study found that attention naturally declines after about 40 minutes, requiring breaks for sustained focus. Another study from the Draugiem Group—a professional time-tracking firm—discovered that top performers work in focused 52-minute bursts followed by 17-minute breaks, a rhythm now known as the 52/17 rule.
Still, the expectation remains: to be “on” from morning to evening, to perform, produce, and respond—and then show up as a parent, partner, or friend after hours. It’s unrealistic. Yet so many of us feel guilty for falling short.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The problem isn’t your motivation—it’s the system you’re trying to function within.
Try These Strategies Today
1. Protect your brain between meetings.
If you have more than two meetings in a row, schedule at least a 15-minute reset before the third. Even a short walk or stretch helps your brain recover and refocus.
2. Take real breaks (not scrolling breaks).
Scrolling social media doesn’t count—it stimulates your brain’s reward system and floods you with shallow content, which can shorten attention spans and heighten anxiety. Step away, breathe, and let your mind wander instead.
3. Use time blocking to create structure.
Set dedicated windows for emails, calls, and meetings. The brain thrives on predictability, and once you see clear boundaries on your calendar, breaks start to feel not only possible—but deserved.
4. Focus on energy blocks, not hours.
Rather than chasing eight hours of output, aim for 3–4 deep-work blocks and 2–3 lighter-task blocks throughout the day. This mirrors how the brain actually operates.
5. Silence notifications intentionally.
Minimize personal distractions during work—and protect your personal time from work interruptions. No one needs an email reply at 11 p.m.
If You’re an Employer or Team Leader
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Shift focus from hours to outcomes.
Redefine success by results, not screen time. -
Normalize breaks and boundaries.
When leaders model healthy behavior—taking lunch breaks, signing off at reasonable times—it gives permission for others to do the same. -
Clean up meeting culture.
Limit meetings to 45 minutes, build in “no-meeting blocks,” and regularly ask: Could this be an email? -
Encourage recovery moments.
Offer mental health days, midday pause sessions, or five-minute mindfulness resets. Little moments of recovery make a big difference in overall engagement. -
Train for energy management.
Bring in workshops or coaching around focus, boundaries, and emotional regulation—skills that keep your team clear-minded and sustainable.
The goal isn’t to squeeze more out of the day—it’s to make the hours we do work meaningful, focused, and human. What can you start doing today to make an impact on your focus?