WORK SMART: Workplace Tips with Trisha Yeong

Big goals are inspiring but they can also feel overwhelming. Research on motivation shows that visible progress, even in small steps, is one of the strongest drivers of engagement and sustained effort. This episode explains why celebrating small wins can fuel momentum far more effectively than pressure or deadlines alone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multitasking feels productive, but studies show the brain actually switches rapidly between tasks instead of doing them at the same time. This constant task-switching increases errors and slows overall performance. This episode explains why focusing on one thing at a time is often the fastest way to get more done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many professionals hesitate to ask for help at work because they worry it might make them look incapable. But research in workplace psychology suggests the opposite: high performers tend to seek clarification and input earlier, helping them avoid costly mistakes and move projects forward more effectively.  This episode explores why asking for help is often misinterpreted as weakness, and how framing your question the right way can signal initiative, preparation, and ownership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emails, messages, Slack alerts — they feel small in the moment. But cognitive research shows each interruption leaves “attention residue,” making it harder to return to deep focus.  In this episode, we explore why your brain craves notifications and how simple shifts in timing can reduce distraction and stress at work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don’t need a long rest to reset,  studies on micro-breaks show that even pauses under five minutes can lift your mood, restore attention and reduce mental fatigue. So, a simple three-minute pause gives your brain just enough space to detach and let its “reset networks” switch on, so you return sharper than before.  This episode explores why these “micro-resets” work and how to fit them naturally into a busy day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever wished your boss understood what you need, you’re not alone. Managing up is really about clearer communication, not manipulation.  This episode shows how small habits like clarifying expectations and pre-empting updates can make work smoother for both you and your manager.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pausing to reflect can feel like wasted time in a busy schedule. But your brain doesn’t improve simply by doing more, it improves by noticing patterns and adjusting behaviour. Research on learning and performance shows that reflection plays a critical role in this process. This episode breaks down why reflection matters for workplace learning, and how small, intentional pauses can lead to better decisions and long-term skill development.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever said yes at work and regretted it almost immediately? You’re not alone. Research shows we’re wired to agree to requests, even when it costs us focus and energy. In this episode, we unpack why saying no feels so uncomfortable  and why it doesn’t actually make you look difficult. Plus, one simple, research-backed way to stop saying yes automatically.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your brain isn’t built for endless concentration, it naturally cycles through peaks and dips in energy roughly every 90 minutes, a pattern known as ultradian rhythms. When you align your work with these natural focus waves, you can get more done with less strain.  This episode breaks down how these rhythms work and how to structure your day around them for better performance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all love the satisfaction of ticking off a task, but for many of us, to-do lists just keep growing. Research shows that overloaded lists strain our attention, making it harder to prioritise and follow through. This episode unpacks why to-do lists often backfire, and shares simple, research-backed ways to finally get things done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.