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1-2-3 Get It Done: The Lighting Adjustment That Quietly Boosts Your Productivity
sent by Joaquín Kosegarten | March 10, 2026
Every second counts, so let’s get right to it. 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to Get It Done:
1 Idea
Use bright, cool light during work hours to keep your brain alert, and avoid dim lighting while you are trying to stay focused.
2 Ways it saves you time
1. Your brain treats lighting as a signal. Bright, cool light increases alertness and improves reaction time. Dim light slows your thinking, which means tasks take longer than they should.
2. Good lighting reduces eye strain and mental fatigue. When your vision is relaxed, you make fewer mistakes and can work longer with better clarity.
3 Steps to Get It Done:
1. Replace or supplement your desk lighting with a bright, cool white bulb in the 4000 to 5000 Kelvin range.
2. Position the light in front of you or slightly to the side so it brightens your workspace without creating glare.
3. At the end of the workday, switch to warm, softer light to signal your brain that it is time to wind down.
Conclusion
Lighting is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your environment. Get it right, and your brain stays sharper, your eyes stay relaxed, and your work moves faster.
“But I don’t like bright light, it feels harsh”
It only feels harsh when the light is pointed at your eyes. Use a bright, cool bulb but aim it at your desk or wall, not your face. You get all the alertness with none of the discomfort.
As promised — 1 minute that can save you hours
Yours in Getting It Done,
Joaquin Kosegarten
Author of Get It Done
Creator of the 1-2-3 Get It Done Newsletter
P.S. Fun fact, long periods in dim lighting have been shown to reduce hippocampal capacity by about 30 percent. The hippocampus is your brain’s learning and memory centre, which is why bright, cool light makes such a noticeable difference in how sharp you feel.
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The Lighting Adjustment That Quietly Boosts Your Productivity
About the Newsletter
1-2-3 Get It Done is a weekly 1-minute read trusted by busy professionals who want to achieve more in less time without burning out.
Each issue gives you 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to put it into action immediately.