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    Red Ball Optical Illusion

    I love illusions. It’s fascinating how we don’t see the obvious until it’s pointed out to us; then it becomes–well, so obvious. I always think, “How did I miss that?”

    This particular illusion is one that I saw in a book recently.

    Study the photo. How many red balls do you see?

    5-red-balls-optical-illusion

    Do you see five red balls? Is there anything else that you notice about the image? Post your observations in the Comments section below.

    Link: “How to Train Your Brain to Stay Focused”

    Did you make a New Year’s resolution to focus better and be more productive at work? Let’s face it–distractions are a way of life, especially with so many electronic devices at our fingertips, drawing our attention away from the task at hand. Here are some tips from Entrepreneur Magazine on how to stay focused while on the job:

    • “Do creative work first.” (No, not mindless tasks first.)
    • “Allocate your time deliberately.” (Determine when you do your best work or come up with the most creative ideas. Morning? Night? While out for a jog?)
    • “Train your mind like a muscle.” (The more you train your mind to focus, the easier it becomes. Conversely, the more you multitask, the harder it becomes to focus.)

    You can read the full article here. While you’re at it, take the multitasking knowledge quiz to see how much you understand about divided attention.


    Wondering how to stick to your resolutions or goals for the year? Here are a couple of old posts that might help:

    Planning Your Daily Activities Around Your Body’s Rhythms

    sundial

    To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. – Ecclesiastes 3:1

    Many people categorize themselves as early birds or night owls, and research seems to suggest that the body’s circadian rhythm determines the ideal time for many daily activities, according to a Wall Street Journal article. Some tasks are better completed early in the day, while others are ideal for the afternoon or evening. Our physiology changes over the course of the day, and so should our habits. Perhaps we would all be more productive if we planned our day around our body’s rhythms. Here are a few examples:

    The best time to…

    Read and send e-mails

    In the morning, ideally before 6 am, because they are more likely to be read before they get lost in a barrage of other e-mails.

    I read e-mails first thing in the morning but don’t necessarily answer them right away. (Procrastination gets the best of me.)

    Take a nap

    The ideal time for a nap is around 2 pm. This is the time when many people hit a slump, and productivity dips.

    Sometimes sleepiness takes over in the afternoon, but usually only if I haven’t slept enough the night before. There are many days when I would find a 2 pm nap restorative.

    Exercise

    From a physiological standpoint, the ideal time for exercise  is in the afternoon between 2pm and 6 pm. Why? As the day wears on, our bodies become better equipped to handle physical exertion:

    • Muscle strength peaks.
    • The lungs function more efficiently.
    • Eye-hand coordination improves.

    Though some people swear by morning workouts, I prefer exercising in the afternoon or evening if my schedule permits. I feel more awake, and my muscles seem more limber.

    Posting on social media sites

    It varies:

    • Morning for new tweets
    • Late in the day for retweeting when many people find it easier to retweet than post new tweets
    • Evening for Facebook, as updates posted around 8 pm get more “Likes.”

    I check Facebook mainly in the morning to catch up on what was posted overnight. It’s a mindless activity that allows me to ease into my day.

    See the full article for more tips: Your Body’s Best Time for Everything

    Are you an early or late riser? What activities do you do first thing in the morning? Which activities do you reserve for later in the day?