Work Smarter, Not Harder

Ways to get the most out of your working hours
Ever catch yourself dozing off at work? If so, maybe your body - or brain - is trying to tell you it's time for a break. Instead of ignoring such signals, maybe it's time you tried working smarter, not harder.

Take breaks or even naps
Your brain is your most important tool when it comes to work, but it does have limitations. In fact, your brain can only remain focused for about 90 minutes at a time. That's why it's important to take 15-minute breaks every hour and a half to restore your attention span.

Better yet, if your company allows it, take a 20-minute nap once during the work day. Research suggests that napping helps you think more clearly and memorize things better.

Stay mobile and work in blocks
Entrepreneur and author Joel Runyon urges worker to try his "workstation popcorn" method. First, break down your office to-do list into clear tasks. Throughout the workday try moving to a different work area (or coffee shop) for each new task. That way you're staying active and giving your mind a natural break between tasks. With a refreshed sense of focus, you'll be working smarter than ever!

Editor's Summary
What is smarter work as opposed to harder worker?
Well, take for example when you find yourself dozing off at work.
Do you fight it and keep working?
Well, our article suggests that perhaps instead of ignoring that feeling, you need to take a little break.
Our brain does have limitations and can only stay focused for about 90 minutes at a time.
So, what should we do to extend that time?
Well, take a break every hour or every hour and half hour to keep our attention span.
Or even take a short 20-minute nap during the day.
Research shows it helps with memorization and clear thinking.
Joel Runyon has introduced the "workstation popcorn" method.
He says to move around to different place for every new task that you are involved in.
It keeps you active and gives your mind a natural break.
That will help you work smarter than ever.
I think I'd like to try that, especially the suggestion about going out for coffee for one of my tasks.

Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: On Increasing Your Vocabulary (如何增加字彙？)
許多人認為學英文最難的地方就是背單字,
與其說背單字, 不如說用單字,
因為死背只會增加學習的挫折感,
要增加字彙有以下方法可以參考:
1. reading 閱讀
read, read and read.
2. context 用上下文去了解字意
當閱讀看到生字時, 暫時不要查字典,
可用上下文去推測一個字的意思,
- The animal expert spoke about ducks, geese and ibises.
3. keep a new word notebook 做筆記
記下單子的意思, 並且做一個例句
4. practice 練習
多活用新學習的字

Grammar Gym
Better yet = An even better idea would be...
Better yet, if your company allows it, take a 20-minute nap once during the work day.
- Let's have spaghetti for dinner. Better yet, let's just go to an Italian restaurant and have a nice Italian dinner.
- Let's go for a hike. Better yet, why don't we just go camping?

Language Lab
doze off phrasal verb
to go to sleep, especially when you did not intend to [= drop off, nod off]:
- Travis dozed off during the speech and even snored.
- Dean's boss caught him dozing off in the meeting.
- Rita often dozes off for 15 minutes after lunch to restore her energy.

limitation n.
the act or process of controlling or reducing something
- There are certain limitations to a CEO's powers.
- The organization is working on the limitation of whaling activities in this area.
- Due to space limitations, only VIP customers can park inside our building.

urge v.
to strongly suggest that someone does something
urge somebody to do something
 - Mark urged his dad to get a thorough physical exam because he's been so sick lately.
to try to persuade (someone) in a serious way to do something
- The area's residents urged the council to consider the construction of a hospital nearby.

refresh v.
to make (someone) have more energy and feel less tired or less hot
- A nap will refresh you before the kids get home.
- I need to take a look at my calendar to refresh my memory.


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