TEXT C You can take the person
out of nature, but you can’t take nature out of the person. The latest
scientific thinking tells us that even in the modem workplace, we’re still at
the mercy of basic biology. Consider the workweek. For
inalienable biological reasons, Monday tends to be the least productive day for
most people. "It’s simply natural to feel stress when making the transition from
pleasurable engagement back into work," says Arnold Brown, principal at Weiner
Edrich Brown, a New York City trend-tracking firm that culls scientific findings
with workplace implications. He’s come across a study, meanwhile, that shows
Tuesday is our most productive day, falling after the Monday doldrums and before
a pre-week-end slump that builds throughout the rest of the week.
We also can’t shut out input from our senses. For example, findings show
that our sense of smell is closely tied to memory. Brown’s workplace tip: Dab on
a bit of scent--any scent--while you’re practicing a speech. When you deliver
it, put on the same scent, and your recall will be improved.
Studies also show there’s no substitute for natural light. It triggers our
brains to produce serotonin, which makes us awake and alert. "Why are meeting
moms often deep inside buildings, with muted light" asks Brown. "Are we telling
executives, ’let’s not think about things’" According to the study discussed in the second paragraph, which of the following weekdays is the most productive