The Big Bang Theory is choke-full of life lessons on how these high-functioning nerds deal with social situations. Not surprisingly, these geniuses are adept at turning their productivity meter to full throttle by using conventional and unconventional ways.
Everyone enjoys a good laugh once in a while. The Big Bang Theory gives you exactly that. With a mix of extremely different characters trying to get a hold of their professional and personal lives, this award-winning sitcom can have you hitched to the TV screen, indefinitely. Or your laptop.
It’s funny though, how this show can also enlighten you with some great productivity and teamwork lessons.
Let’s have a look at how we can use these lessons in our daily lives.
1. Let Technology Be Your Friend
Technology and innovation can help you improve your productivity in surprising ways. From the conventional to the experimental, this show explores unique ways technology can help you increase your productivity.
In season 2, Sheldon and Penny have perfected their manufacturing process and sing together to harness the powers of singing rhythmic songs to increase productivity.
In season 10, Sheldon and Amy discover that my insulting each other, they can concentrate better on their collaborative project.
2. Reward Yourself
Giving yourself the incentive to work quicker or efficiently is a great way to improve productivity.
The friends have regular game sessions, movie sessions and even paintball sessions that help them destress and get back to work in optimal shape.
3. Get Organized
The organization is the key to increasing productivity.
When Penny starts her own brand of hair berets, Penny Blossoms, Sheldon helps her get organized to improve her production process.
With the help of Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj, Penny manages to complete an order of 1000 hair berets in just one night. Before that, she was making only 20 berets in a day.
4. Take Breaks
Resting your mind and body is important for consistent performance. With a tired body or mind you will not be able to perform to the best of your abilities and will likely end up sick.
When the group pulls an all-nighter to help Penny out, Sheldon drinks coffee to keep himself awake, even though he knows that coffee does not agree with him.
He ends up running around in his Flash suit while the others work.
5. Work Better with a Friend
Working with a friend is a great way to improve your productivity. Not only do you work better because of greater understanding between each other, but you can also help each other break the monotone of regular work by sharing jokes and anecdotes.
When Howard and Amy work together in season 11, we see them having a blast with Howard entertaining Amy with his magic tricks.
6. Perseverance
Take a dogged approach to tackling issues. Giving up on difficult tasks would nullify the hours you already spent on the task.
The characters in The Big Bang Theory know the importance of working the problem until it is solved.
When faced with an unsolvable problem in season 3, Sheldon tries on a different approach. He decides to work at the Cheesecake Factory with Penny so that his brain will be free to work out the problem while he performs menial tasks.
It works, of course.
7. Don’t Take On More Than You Can Handle
As much as we all love Sheldon, he can be a bit of a control freak and a working hog. Even when he is collaborating with others he has trouble letting go.
When Leonard comes up with an idea to develop a smartphone app, Sheldon tries to seize control of the project. After appointing himself as the chief executive, financial, and operating officer, Sheldon gets himself fired for being a control freak.
In season 10, Sheldon makes himself sick when he tries to help both Amy and Leonard with their respective projects.
8. Work Never Stops
Even when these nerds are off work, their brains are engaged. From solving hypothetical problems like how Superman cleans his suit to working on robots, these friends know the power of fun can help them increase their productivity.
They are always enthusiastic about work. They spend sleepless nights in the play pen looking for ideas. So watch The Big Bang Theory if you need inspiration for increasing your productivity.
9. Be Honest
Honesty is everything in team work. There’s no use hiding behind fears of the unknown. Sheldon Cooper thinks it’s absolutely alright to come out clean and not hide behind lies.
He doesn’t see any point to. So, he doesn’t care. You shouldn’t either.
10. Keep Friends But Work Separately
It’s good to have colleagues you can get along with. It’s great if you find friends amongst them. But it’s not good if that affects your work potential.
If a friend is trying to coax you into something not right or their behavior is affecting the harmony of your project, take action.
Don’t let take their friendship take advantage of you.
11. Be Different
Penny may not be on the honor’s roll but she definitely has another set of smarts. She’s great friends with Sheldon, Raj, Howard, and Leonard, and teachers them another side of life.
Like Yoga, for instance.
12. Don’t Be A Control Freak
The time Sheldon tried to take over a project based on Leonard’s idea i.e. to develop a smartphone app. Sheldon tries taking control of the project, appointing himself as the chief executive, financial, and operating officer.
Well, being a control freak ultimately gets Sheldon fired.
Learn to split the work and share the glory.
13. Disputes can be solved
In teamwork, disputes are meant to happen. We can’t get along all the time. But there is always a way to resolve them.
For instance, by a roll of the Dice, or a game of Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock. Try to find solutions to disagreements and don’t dwell on them.
Do you have any productivity lessons to share from The Big Bang Theory? I would love to hear your thoughts.
