Debunking Burnout Theory: 90-Minute Work Sessions Are a Myth

You've probably heard it from your boss or a self-proclaimed productivity guru: "Just work for 90 minutes, take a 10-minute break, and you're ready to tackle anything!" Sounds good, right? Wrong. This myth is a relic of the early 20th century, when factories were still a thing and people actually got tired from manual labor. Modern work is not like that. In fact, it's more like...The Myth of Constant Stimulation.

Research shows that the human brain can focus for about 60-90 minutes before needing a break, but that's not because it's getting tired, it's because it's getting bored. And that's not because of the work itself, but because of the constant stimulation from social media, email, and meetings. That's why we need breaks, but not the kind that are prescribed by some corporate wellness program. We need breaks from the constant noise, from the distractions, from the expectations of constant output. We need breaks from our own minds telling us we're not doing enough. That's why we need to debunk this myth, and start working with our own brains, not against them. Want to know more? Click here for The Myth of Constant Stimulation or here for The Myth of The Productivity Paradox.