I live in Wisconsin, where this time of year we get our share of cloudy days. And while you might think that gloomy weather hurts productivity, the research is beginning to suggest the opposite.
A recent study links poor weather with higher worker output. When the sun disappears, people focus more on their tasks. They stop thinking about walks, parks, or time outside.
The idea grew from everyday experience. The researchers noticed work feels different on sunny versus rainy days. Sunlight pulls attention outward. Rain keeps the mind inside and on the job.
To test this idea, researchers studied a midsize bank in Tokyo. The bank tracked employee output for over two years. During that time, workers processed more than fifty thousand loan requests. Each request required many routine data tasks.
The research team compared this data with local weather records. Rainy days matched faster task completion. Low visibility and harsh temperatures also raised output. Clear, sunny days showed slower work.
The team then moved the study into a lab. They wanted to learn why the weather affects focus. Participants entered data into spreadsheets for pay. The task was hard and easy to measure for errors.
Some participants worked on rainy days.
Others worked on sunny days. Some were shown pictures of outdoor fun. Others were not shown those images.
The most accurate and fastest workers came on rainy days. They also saw no sunny pictures beforehand. Rainy day workers lost focus when shown outdoor images. Sunny day workers were already distracted, so images changed little.
These results might suggest some lessons for managers. Routine tasks fit best on gray, rainy days. Sunny days suit flexible work that allows wandering thoughts. Simple choices about timing and surroundings can improve focus and results.
If you are seeking to improve your level of productivity, check out my online course, “Pathway to Productivity and Better Time Management“
Dave Edwards Media 