How to work without fatigue, using the right areas of the brain

Despite the spread of time management methods and productivity tools, many professionals and managers still end their day feeling mentally exhausted. It often seems that the cause is overwork, but in reality, it lies deeper — in how the brain’s functioning is organized.

The Hidden Consequences of Misusing the Brain

The human brain consists of different regions, each responsible for specific functions. When we try to perform multiple complex tasks simultaneously without considering which part we’re activating, certain brain centers start working in an overloaded state.

For example:
If you constantly check your emails or messages, the brain’s reactive area becomes active — the one designed for quick responses to threats.
Meanwhile, strategic thinking, analysis, and creativity require another type of processing — slower and more focused thinking.

When a person switches between these modes in the wrong order, the brain starts functioning inefficiently, losing energy and concentration.

How to “Train” the Brain to Work Properly

For the brain to work effectively, it’s essential to distinguish between two main modes:

Deep focus mode — when you are engaged in analysis, creative work, or decision-making.

Automatic mode — when performing technical or repetitive tasks, such as checking emails or organizing documents.

It’s important to allocate these modes properly throughout the day, starting with the most complex and mentally demanding tasks during the hours when the brain is freshest.

The Role of Rest and Recovery

Equally important for the brain is not only work but also recovery. Research shows that breaks, physical activity, and even short walks help restore the brain’s efficiency.
Remaining constantly immersed in information flows without pauses keeps the brain in a “fight or flight” mode, which over time leads to exhaustion.

Overload is not always the result of too much work. In many cases, it’s caused by the incorrect use of the brain’s resources. By learning to distinguish and properly manage focus and reaction modes, one can not only increase productivity but also significantly reduce fatigue.

Work efficiency begins not with tools, but with the awareness of how to use your brain correctly.

The article is based on the analysis of the Harvard Business Review

*The article was also prepared using data from AI․