Your brain at work
by David Rock · first published 2009
69% recommend31% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Explains how the brain handles attention, memory limits, emotions and motivation at work, using stories from a manager's workdays. Suits developers and knowledge workers wanting practical, science-backed insight.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…then it makes sense you need more sleep. Of course, different people are wired differently but as a rule of thumb it appplies. Slightly off topic (i.e., it's about the brain and not sleep) but the book "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock is a personal fave.
on “Things to know about sleep as the clocks go back” ↗I recommend the book "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock. He does a great job at explaining what goes on in your head on a given day, for a given decision. https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Work-Strategies-Distractio...
on “Is Chronic Anxiety a Learning Disorder?” ↗Two things to share. 1) The book Your Brain at Work by David Rock does a great job explaining the brain and how to tilt it in your favor, more often. 2) I have solved more problems and had more great ideas 3+ miles into a run than any place else. There's…
on “The Power of Shower Thoughts” ↗…nagging problems e.g., what missing from this code?) 20 to 30 mins into a 60 min run. The rhythm and the disconnect gives my mind just enough space to step back, rethink, and then solve. Btw, the book "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock is worth a read if reading is your thing. https://davidrock.net/books/
on “Study finds walking improves creativity (2014)” ↗For more specifics into the cognitive science behind why this is - another good book, which has lots of wonderful references to studies on this topic (amongst other things), is "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock. Or, for the general overview you can watch the Google Talk at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeJSXfXep4M
on “Why you get ideas in the shower” ↗People who are into this kind of thing will probably like "Your brain at work" by David Rock. It covers this topic and a few more - it's pretty interesting stuff for developers and knowledge workers. There's also a tech talk here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeJSXfXep4M Also,…
on “Why you get ideas in the shower” ↗There is a good book - "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock - explaining this (and many other things) http://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Work-Strategies-Distraction...
on “Walk Away From Your Computer. Seriously.” ↗Your Brain at Work http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Brain-Work-Strategies-Distracti... It uses the short stories from the work days of a senior manager and software consultancy owner to explain how and why the brain reacts…
on “Ask HN: which are some good self-help books?” ↗"Your Brain at Work" by David Rock is full of insights about the human brain in daily situations. What makes it different from many other neuro-biology books is that it does not only present scientific knowledge but enables…
on “Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read?” ↗…Furthermore more, in a given day or series of days, the brain has limits. It can and does run out of gas. Those times you think "I can't think anymore" are legit and true. In terms of true productivity "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock is by far the best thing I've read. Highly recommended if you want to think better.
on “Why time management is ruining our lives” ↗Per your last sentence, it might not be to the level of detail you're looking for but I really enjoyed "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock. I had more than a couple "ah, that makes sense" moments. That aside, the gut (bacteria) / brain connection gets more and more fascinating. There's so much about our personal inner space…
on “Self-Control Relies on Glucose as a Limited Energy Source (2007)” ↗As a foundation, I highly recommend the book "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock. There are plenty of time management hacks. YBaW helps you understand why they work, or more importantly why for you they might not be working.
on “Ask HN: Time Management Tricks and Tips” ↗…a gym workout. It's doing curls with cans of soda. The info age "workout" creates fatigue, not muscle. While, it's not necessarily info age / distraction age centric, I suggest checking out the book "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock. https://davidrock.net/books/
on “Hacking the Brain” ↗"The Known World" By Edward P. Jones, Historical fiction about former slaves who own slaves, https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/edward-p-jones "Your Brain At work" - Practical insight into how emotions affect thinking, limitations of cognition, etc. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6899290-your-brain-at-wo... Cryptonomicon! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonomicon…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗…mostly when I'm exercising (read: running). It's one of the reasons I don't run with music / audio. Instead, it's just me and the road. Initially, I thought it was a personal quirk. Then I read the book "Your Brain at Work" by David Rock. At this point, I'm due for a re-read. https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Work-Revised-Updated/dp/00...
on “The science of why you have great ideas in the shower” ↗