⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

This Weird Tip Can Help You Clear Your Mind Start with a literal clean slate.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily
Peter Schaefer / EyeEm | Getty Images

If you are stuck on a big project, sometimes the best thing you can do is step away and take a break. You can go for a walk, do completely unrelated work or talk out your frustration with a friend or co-worker.

But there's a simpler thing you can do to clear your mind: According to a new study from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, cleaning your hands can actually shift your mindset and help you focus on a new goal.

In a series of experiments, the researchers asked the study participants to think about a particular goal in a process called "priming." They were then asked to either look at or use a handwipe.

Related: The 5 Golden Rules of Goal-Setting

The study found that the people who used the handwipes were less likely to still be thinking about their initial goals. Their behavior was also less likely to be consistent with the pursuit of that first goal.

After the action of cleaning their hands, the researchers ultimately found that first goal to be less important to the participants and that it was easier for them to focus on a new objective. So if you find your mind wandering, wash your hands to help you start new.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Franchise

The Top Franchise Brands Growing Globally

While our main Fastest-Growing Franchises list focuses on North American growth, more and more brands are looking to grow worldwide. These are the 25 that had the greatest franchise growth outside the U.S. and Canada from July 2022 to July 2023.