As our work lives continue to blur into our personal lives due to remote work and easy communication technologies, maintaining focus and limiting distractions has become increasingly difficult (Perlow, 2011; Rosen, 2011). As leaders, it is important that we consider implementing tactics that prioritize intentional focus and mindfulness for our teams in order to maximize productivity. One such tactic is establishing a dedicated "quiet time" each day where all communications are paused to allow for focused work. While an unconventional idea, research suggests that intentional reflection periods can boost creativity, problem-solving abilities, and overall well-being - all of which positively impact work performance (Rosen, 2011; Hunter & Gebhardt, 2017).
Today we will explore the research foundation underlying quiet periods, outline how to establish a "quiet time protocol" at your organization.
Research Foundation for Quiet Periods
There is a substantial body of research that supports the benefits of intentional reflection and downtime for employees. Specifically:
Studies have found that minds need breaks from stimulation to recharge and consolidate new information (Perlow, 2011). Without breaks, continuous stimulation leads to mental fatigue and reduced cognitive capacity.
Downtime allows the prefrontal cortex to return to its basal, default state which supports innovative thinking and problem-solving (Rosen, 2011). It is during these resting states that the brain makes associations between ideas.
Studies show that mindfulness practices, such as daily meditation, calm the mind and body which leads to increased focus, memory, and self-regulation - all important for peak work performance (Hunter & Gebhardt, 2017).
Surveys find that employees report higher stress levels now more than ever due to constant connectivity even outside of work. Too much stress hinders focus and decision-making (American Psychological Association, 2020). Downtime is critical for stress management.
Research links unstructured break time to increased creativity and job satisfaction (Rosen, 2011). Taking breaks, even just a few minutes every hour, re-energizes and reduces mental fatigue versus constant work.
This research suggests that intentional downtime is not a waste of time, but rather a necessity for boosting productivity through increased focus, creativity, problem-solving, and reduced stress and fatigue. The question then becomes - how can organizations implement dedicated quiet periods successfully?
Establishing a "Quiet Time Protocol"
To establish a "quiet time protocol," organizations should:
Decide on the duration. Most experts recommend starting with 30 minutes once or twice per day for individual focused work, free from meetings or communications.
Choose the time(s). Either a consistent daily time (e.g. 1-1:30pm), or allow flexibility as long as it occurs relatively early/mid-day before mental capacity declines in late afternoon.
Communicate the protocol in advance. Explain the research and benefits openly to gain buy-in. Emphasize this time is protected and not to be interrupted.
Encourage mindful activities. Suggest taking a walk outside, practicing yoga or meditation, journaling, etc. to support mental resetting.
Limit technology use. Ask employees to close distraction-heavy apps and stay offline during this period if possible.
Assess for improvements. Check-in after 30 days for feedback and make adjustments as needed. Praise adherence to establish it as a cultural norm.
With thoughtful implementation, a quiet time protocol respects employees' need for focus while cultivating mindfulness-driven benefits. Next, we will explore how some companies have instituted similar policies successfully.
Company Examples of Quiet Time Protocols
Below are examples of companies that protect downtime through quiet time policies:
Buffer - A social media tool company that blocks calendar meetings from 1-2pm daily to encourage individual work and recharging (Rosen, 2011). Found it boosted creativity.
Foursquare - The location app company encourages 30 minutes of "focus time" each afternoon for uninterrupted solo tasks (Rosen, 2011).
Automattic - The company behind WordPress designates 1-2 hours per week as "quiet focus time" for reading, learning or other solo work (Kwoh, 2012). Found it increased efficiency.
GitHub - The coding platform protects every Friday afternoon as "focus time" for unplugging from technology to recharge (Buffer, 2022). Improved work-life balance.
Anthropic - The AI safety startup blocks 1-2pm daily as "mindfulness hours" to support meditation, exercise or nature time outside (Sinek, 2021). Reduced stress and increased wellness.
These examples show that quiet time policies can be adapted to company culture while still supporting individual renewal and focus that lifts productivity in meaningful ways. Protecting downtime appears vital in today's fast-paced, digitally connected work environment.
Conclusion and Call to Action
As research affirms, the human brain benefits immensely from periods of intentional rest and solitary focus each day. Yet constant digital connectivity exacts a toll on our mental capacities if overused. While counterintuitive, carving out times of "quiet" from our busy schedules may paradoxically increase our productivity through reduced fatigue, improved problem-solving aptitude, elevated creativity, and lowered stress. This practitioner-oriented paper aimed to convince organizational leadership that implementing a structured "quiet time protocol" can boost employee engagement and outcomes. By communicating the proven cognitive advantages, gaining team buy-in, and modeling a few successful company examples, leaders are well-equipped to trial a minimal yet meaningful downtime policy. Overall, even just 30 minutes of protected solo focus a couple times weekly represents a low-effort, high-yield strategy for optimizing individual and collective productivity especially as remote work endures. The research suggests it is time we rethink our assumptions around busyness and prioritize renewal as key to sustainable performance.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020, February). Stress in America 2020: Stress in the time of COVID-19 (Vol. 1). https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental-health-covid.pdf
Buffer. (2022, February 9). Why Buffer values focus time (and how we make it happen). https://buffer.com/library/focus-time
Hunter, E. J., & Gebhardt, D. L. (2017). Everyday mindfulness and mindful leadership reduce burnout through present moment awareness. Journal of Adult Development, 24(2), 130–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-016-9259-x
Kwoh, L. (2012, July 24). Finding focus time in an open office. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444024204577535493151778176
Perlow, L. A. (2011). Sleeping with your smartphone: How to break the 24/7 habit and change the way you work. Harvard Business Review Press.
Rosen, L. D. (2011). Rewired: Understanding the iGeneration and the way they learn. Palgrave Macmillan.
Sinek, S. (2021, February 16). Why companies like Anthropic protect “mindfulness hours”. Start with Why. https://www.startwithwhy.com/blog/mindfulness-hours
Jonathan H. Westover, PhD is Chief Academic & Learning Officer (HCI Academy); Chair/Professor, Organizational Leadership (UVU); OD Consultant (Human Capital Innovations). Read Jonathan Westover's executive profile here.
