Setting the Stage for Success: Go Clean & Green

Do you ever feel like you just can’t get any serious work done because of your surroundings? I remember when I was in University, I would intentionally walk 30 minutes to campus to study in a boring 70’s style study cubicle, made of metal and cheap wooden shelves. While my main reason for doing this was to seek study refuge in a place of mandatory silence, free of the interruptions of my roommates knocking on my door; there was more to studying at the library contributing to my academic success than I realized. It was not just that the library was quiet, it was that the spaces within the library were clean, uncluttered, and often architecturally symmetrical, creating a space without obvious distracting stimuli in my visual field (I will expand more on this shortly).

Over the years, as my study environment has changed, and I have not always had the liberty of an accessible library within driving distance, or the study hours were limited to normal working hours, I have had to become extremely creative and disciplined in how I use the spaces and time available to me, doing my best to make a conducive learning environment out of what I have. As I’ve learned little tips and tricks prior to, and during medical school to become more efficient at how I learn more with less, I’ve also started to become aware of/and believe the idea that when I have a clean physical space, it somehow manifests into freeing up more mental space to access more creativity, and fit more knowledge into my noggin. And it turns out, I may have been on to something…

From personal experience to the scientific literature regarding excelling on major academic exams, or simply becoming more work productive - here are the tools I use and attribute to my own success:

1. Keep Your Study/Work Space Clean!

The premise and backbone of what I believe will help you set the stage for success and productivity, is not just my own idea; in the Journal Neuroscience, Princeton University published an article in 2011 called ‘Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex’. The research found that there are two types of stimuli in our visual field competing for the visual cortex’s attention, overwhelming our visual system’s processing. Top-down neural processes (pathways) are goal-directed stimuli, such as your attention, while bottom-up pathways are stimuli-directed (ie. a workspace littered with papers, coffee mugs, dishes, etc.). In a nutshell, the findings suggested that if the bottom-up processing is not in order (ie. you are working at a cluttered desk), this will interfere with your brain’s more important task at hand - your ability to focus and process work.

2. Get a plant!

If you are thinking at this very moment, what is this weirdo talking about?! Well, bear with me. And surprisingly, no this little tidbit is not based on plants providing a surplus of oxygen in the air surrounding your work space or improving mental alertness (although I’m sure if I looked hard enough, I could find an article that would substantiate this). Rather, Dr. Knight C. from Exiter University, found that people who enhanced their ‘lean’ (ie. uncluttered) workspace or desk with a plant were 15% more productive than individuals who worked in a space with no plant, as the presence of ‘greenery’ improves one’s focus by increasing your cognitive, emotional and physical engagement.

3. Make It An Enjoyable Work Experience

If you know that you are inevitably going to need a coffee 15 minutes into your work, then be wise with your time, and just go get one before sitting down to begin work. That way if you are in a productive flow/train of thought, you won’t needlessly end your streak of productivity with a small break. Next, figure out what thinking tool it is that you need to have on hand when working. For me, it’s an excessive amount of spare, sharp pencils (and previously, sour jujubes). For one of my roommates, it was Tic Tacs. For another, it might be a protein shake, or soft, classical music. Whatever your special ‘thing’ is, bring it with you, and use it - again, so you aren’t unnecessarily interrupting your productive work time to go find it later. Ultimately, if you can control your work setting, then do so. I haven’t always had the luxury of apartments with views, but when I have been so fortunate, I have opted for apartments with large windows, and forest or ocean views, even at the expense of a longer commute to work. I have learned early on in my life, that having a calm and enjoyable living environment is not only valuable to my work productivity, but more importantly, necessary for restoring my mind and body during my limited time off work.

4. Put On Your Power Suit

While I have witnessed first-hand some of my respectable medical colleagues roll up to a morning zoom meeting (with the camera accidentally) revealing their pajama attire, or their kids playing the piano in the background - this is not what you want to be displaying during any professional interaction. Regardless of if the camera is on, or you’re doing an old fashion in-person interview, dress and act the part. Wear the clothes that make you feel confident and fit the role. I sadly had an interview suit that was so overly used, it became easily recognized by numerous colleagues. But you know what? The suit served its purpose and made me feel great whenever I walked into a room! Furthermore, when you are at your desk, in an academic exam, or in an interview, do not kick your shoes off, stretch out your legs and slump into a lounging posture, as it is physically portraying and telling your mind you are going into relaxation mode. Instead, keep your shoes on, feet flat on the ground, back straight and shoulders back. This power pose instills a sense of confidence, seriousness, and focus to complete the task at hand.

I find these strategies have worked for me in maintaining mental focus and to experience a sense of accomplishment no matter what my physical surroundings are, and I hope it will do the same for you.

-Dr. Kristyn Bell

References:

1. McMains S, Kastner S. Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex. J Neurosci. 2011 Jan 12;31(2):587-97. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3766-10.2011. PMID: 21228167; PMCID: PMC3072218.

2. University of Exeter. "Why plants in the office make us more productive." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 September 2014. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140901090735.htm.