These are the Neural Circuits of Productivity 

By: Aditya Shukla, Cognition Today

The 100 billion-ish neurons in the brain form circuits that specialize in some tasks. 

Some of these circuits are for your senses, some for thought processes, some for memory, etc.

5 of these circuits give us our "productivity. 1. Default mode network 2. Salience network 3. Central executive network 4. Multiple demand network 5. Dorsal attention network

Default mode network

This mode gives us mind-wandering, but it gives us creative insights. It is activated when we are doing mundane things. That's when the brain processes a lot more and gives us smart ideas.

Salience network

It is triggered by important and novel stimuli. And it also integrates emotions, thoughts, and sensory input. This mode switches on another powerful mode of thinkingl

Central executive network

This circuit in the brain does the main active thinking - decision-making, focused thinking, problem-solving. It is responsible for actual thinking time. Important stimuli trigger the salience network, which triggers this one.

Multiple demand network

A specialized circuit in the brain is responsible for multi-tasking and doing complex activities like coding or ideation in a brain-storming session. This mode is like a "boost" that gets activated when we are under pressure.

Dorsal attention network

The brain hasn't forgotten about motivation and goals. This circuit in the brain keeps the brain on track with the goals you've chosen. It is responsible for brining attention to toward the specific goals you've set.