Color and its effects

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"When a task requires attention to details, the presence of the color red boosts performance by as much as 31 percent compared to blue. But when the task demands more creative output, blue cues are a better choice than red by almost twice as much."

Depending on which type of intelligence you're looking to increase, here are four ways to get more color into your life.

1. Change the background color on your computer screen. When I'm working on word-smithing piece, I change the color on my Mac to a lovely, soothing and apparently creativity-boosting periwinkle blue. When I'm trying to get my inbox to zero and need to make decisions quickly, I change the background to an action-inspiring red swirl pattern.

2. Use a pen with red ink or a red casing when working on something analytical in nature and a green when attempting to write the great American novel - or tackling any other inventive and imaginative task.

3. Keep a mouse-pad wardrobe handy and switch out from red to green, and back again, depending on the task before you.

4. Paint an entire room in your office red and an entire room green. When you need to get everyone's right brain engaged in an innovative endeavor, hold your meetings in the green room. If the meeting calls for a left-brain gathering, try the red room.

Please note that this article is copyrighted by Karen Leland. If you would like to reprint any of it on your blog or website you are welcome to do so, provided you give credit and a live link back to this posting.

Karen Leland is the bestselling author of six books including Watercooler Wisdom: How Smart People Prosper In the Face of Conflict, Pressure and Change and Time Management In An Instant:60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. She is the co-founder of Sterling Consulting Group. For questions or comments please email kleland@scgtraining.com