What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Tetris”, well for me for many years it was the “Tetris Game”. I picked up on my knowledge about The Tetris Effect Principle when I was in college completing my graduation. I remember this one principle very specifically because few presentation reports and also it just kinda stuck with me.
In this article we will deeply understand what exactly is the science behind Tetris Effect, How one can use it to boost focus at work, and other features and factors that might come in handy for your next report or general reading!
Science Behind the Tetris Effect
This is the Tetris Effect, proof that some repeated actions can cause a “rewiring” of our brain. We find ourselves doing something repeatedly: whether it’s a game, work-related task, or positive thinking. Our brain begins forming the neural pathways to make these actions easier to automate over time. According to the Happiness Advantage, the brain follows reinforcement of the positive; thus, the general performance of employees will improve with having them work on the progress than on stress. This is the concept of rewiring and should be considered in order to come up with a way of improving focus and putting together a good working environment.
In an organization, many working professionals, consciously or unconsciously, have some version of the Tetris Effect. They are constantly concerned with the challenges at work or may visualize the structure of a project even after working hours. However, when controlled, this becomes a strong tool for increasing focus at work.
Harnessing the Tetris Effect to Enhance Focus
1. Identification of Positive Patterns
Great managers are known to be focused on solutions rather than problems. This is a modern variant of Tetris effect, through which employees may look at some positive patterns of work and remain solution-focused and resilient during anxious moments. For example, employees going into work with the mentality of problem solving can identify ahead of time what is expected to go wrong and can actively think up solutions; hence they may avoid burning out and getting demotivated.
2. Adopt a Culture of Iteration
Repetition is the key to mastering any behavior or skill. Through repetition in work habits, the employee can eventually automate all processes into efficient speed and accuracy. At Medium, an article titled, “The Tetris Effect and the Power of Positivity and Culture“, discusses the phenomenon of companies that encourage repetition in positive culture seeing high-productivity employees who are focused. A well-set routine, clear goals, and constructive feedback can create such a culture in the workplace.
3. Keep Your Brain Fit with Microtasks
It is like Tetris, breaking things down into minute pieces. Small blocks are put inside the larger puzzle, thus not feeling overwhelmed. This whole thing has been termed as microproductivity, training the brain to handle bigger problems in a better manner and keeping focus during the day. Ask staff members to focus on completing small tasks that build momentum and help them stay going.
4. The role of positivity and well-being
Using the Tetris Effect for focus is not just about productivity but mental well-being. The more workers are concerned with good outcomes, the more they succeed and become satisfied with results, which makes their mindset even more keen and motivating. As studies show and shared by LinkedIn, when employees are motivated at work to seek and celebrate small wins, it boosts feelings of satisfaction. This type of workplace culture can cut stress, improve job satisfaction, and also promote performance.
By that, employees who are inspired to concentrate on learning, problem solving, and optimism are more likely to be more engaged in their work. Hence, they face less fatigue and maintain high attention towards long and difficult projects.
Focused Habits by Building with Tetris Effect
Of course, it’s repetition that is Tetris Effect’s strength, training your brain to see and repeat good patterns. Here’s how you can apply these concepts at work:
- Set daily goals: Set a small achievable goal each day that eventually contributes to long-term success. Focus on the incremental wins so that workers also create a pattern of achievement, which feeds into enhancing confidence and focus.
- Reflective practice: Allow some space at the end of the day to share positive accomplishments as ways of reinforcing behavior which has worked.
- Gamified planning: Be able to create strategies with elements of gamification and insert it as part of the smooth flow of the workday. This could also involve challenges to break down large tasks into “levels” or rewards in celebration of the completion of a task.
- Encourage positive thinking: The workers should be taught to change the thought process and ask questions in a positive way. In a positive mindset, the employees view a problem as an opportunity to grow and develop. This increases their ability to focus and keep themselves energized.
Conclusion
Now that we have the science behind the Tetris Effect and how it can sharpen the focus while working, the time has come to test it. Let’s assume your workday is a game of Tetris: every task is a block and your mission – to connect them together to form a winning pattern.
Start small: break up that enormous project into tiny tasks, or seek ways to game-ify your day. Remember, every piece of progress counts, no matter how tiny: it’s like clearing a row in Tetris—it’s a win! Ready to shape your workday like the Tetris master and dominate focus?
Try it today!
