The latest findings from cognitive psychology and behavioral science, translated into practical applications.
Specific, tested transition practices you can implement immediately. No fluff, just what works.
Case studies and data from people and teams who've transformed their transition practices.
Thoughtful reflections on how people actually work, transition, and sustain performance.
Our latest research reveals something uncomfortable: the average knowledge worker spends 8.3 minutes transitioning between tasks. Not working, not resting — just… transitioning.
Here's what makes this insidious: most of that time is invisible. You don't feel yourself spending those minutes. You close one thing, open another, stare at your screen while your brain catches up, scroll through context you already know, re-read the same sentence three times while previous task residue clears.
At 15 transitions per day (a conservative estimate for most knowledge workers), that's over 2 hours. Every single day.
This week's practice: Track just three transitions tomorrow. Note when you close one task and when you're genuinely engaged with the next. The gap between those moments is where you'll find your hidden time.
More in this issue:
• Why transition time compounds throughout the day
• The "first-task advantage" and why mornings feel different
• A 45-second reset protocol for rapid context switches
• Reader question: Managing transitions in open-plan offices