When do you switch environments?

Results Driven
Written By Stacia Aylward

The Challenge

The next time you find yourself stuck on a problem, get up from your desk and start working again from a different location. This might be the coffee shop down the street, the conference room, or even the couch in the reception area. Research has found that changing your work environment can trigger your brain to reengage with the problem in a new way. 

Why do this?

Sometimes when you hit a wall it's hard to figure out how to move around it. (By the way, if you noticed that this challenge is similar to another one you've done, you're right. It is! We developed a series dedicated to "getting unstuck," and this challenge is part of that series.)

Having a few different methods for dealing with a "brain block" can help you reenter a state of flow and solve problems much more quickly. 

What’s next?

Make a mental list of a few different places that you enjoy working from--places that provide the type of environment that you need to concentrate (e.g., quiet, natural light), but that still feel unique from each other. 

Stacia Aylward

Zelos CEO Stacia C. Aylward is an executive leader and lifelong learner with broad professional experience in envisioning and leading programs, projects and teams; facilitating and teaching adults; conducting research; and developing client relationships using proven methodologies in many government and technical fields, including economics, education, healthcare, housing, non-profit governance, IT and law. Stacia holds a master’s degree in Communication and Information, a bachelor’s degree in English, a Six Sigma black belt certification, and a Coach Approach to Leadership credential.

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