Think Forest, Not Trees
Want to subvert the office hierarchy and rise to the top? Abstract thinking makes you feel more in control and prefer higher-power roles, according to research in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology,. By considering the big picture, abstract thinkers feel less constrained by details. Abstract thinking broadens options, while thinking concretely is more likely to make people discouraged. So if you're looking to take a step up the pay scale, envision advancing the company's wider game plan, and leave the bean counting to others. The key to making big moves, says lead researcher Pamela K. Smith, is thinking in terms of why rather than how. "When you're going through your to-do list, think about the higher-level goals each action serves," she suggests. Greatness will follow.
Undoing Sleep Loss
If you've missed a night of rest, don't skimp on your makeup sleep. A study in the Journal of Sleep Research shows that two nine-hour nights are required to fully recover—eight hours is not enough. And forget catching up over an extended period; even five nights of six-hour snoozes, while not digging you further into sleep debt, won't let your peak vigilance return. Psychomotor performance (attention, reaction time) stabilizes, but at a diminished level. "This has direct implications for workplace efficiency and safety," coauthor Sarah Jay says. The researchers also found a disconnect between fatigue and subjective sleepiness—so even if you're not yawning and looking for the nearest pillow, your brain may not yet be at the top of its game.
