INTHEBLACK November 2026 - Magazine - Page 59
of working with pen and paper has been shown
to activate a broader network of brain regions
involved in cognitive processing.
A CONNECTIVITY TOOL
The benefit can also extend to creating more
connection when engaging with co-workers
and clients. Explaining ideas and exploring
concepts on a whiteboard is a valuable
interpersonal soft skill.
Research on the “screen inferiority effect” shows
that audiences often absorb and retain information
better from physical mediums like whiteboards
or paper than from computer screens. Using an
analogue tool with an audience is not just about
improving comprehension, but also about
increasing engagement and forging connection.
Unlocking the brain’s full potential while tuning
out the noise of the digital world makes perfect
sense for business leaders who want to focus
their attention on calm, intentional work such
as making complex decisions.
REDUCE DISTRACTION
Regardless of the technology, concentrating
on a single task, or “monotasking”, is widely
considered the most efficient way to work.
Well-respected time management methods
like the Pomodoro Technique involve setting
a timer for 25 minutes and working on a single
important task without interruption until the
timer rings. Assigning specific hours of the day
to distinct tasks (“time blocking”) and grouping
similar small tasks together (“task batching”) are
also popular techniques to reduce multitasking
and get things done.
There are also ways to reduce distractions
on digital devices, such as Apple’s Focus Mode
and Microsoft’s Focus Sessions, which silence
notifications and hide distractions to support
periods of high productivity. Third-party apps
like Freedom and FocusMe also make it easier
to push back against “always-on” culture and
reduce distractions when it is time to get
down to work.
READ
an article on
how boredom can
increase productivity
LISTEN
to a podcast episode
full of productivity
tips for finance
professionals
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au
59
