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Why Peanut Butter Jelly Time might actually be good for you

While most studies reveal horrifying links between things we love and things we fear–really, it’s just a matter of time before we find out playing tennis causes night blindness–a new study gives us a reason to pat ourselves on our backs. And it comes with a brand new acronym we don’t have to fear: WILB.

What is WILB? Workplace Internet leisure browsing.

The new study conducted by the University of Melbourne, finds that a little Youtube and Facebook distraction can make you a m ore productive worker.

The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not.

Study author Brent Coker, from the department of management and marketing, said “workplace Internet leisure browsing,” or WILB, helped to sharpened workers’ concentration.

“People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration,” Coker said on the university’s website (www.unimelb.edu.au/)

“Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days’ work, and as a result, increased productivity,” he said.

So David’s visit to the dentist? The evolution of dance? Finding out whom your ex is dating? Stalking your crush so you can find out his/her favorite band? All worthwhile distractions to help you refocus.

Of course, if you go overboard and spend more time clicking from video to video (and haven’t we all found ourselves caught in the web of recommended videos?) than doing your work, you’re not going to keep your job long.

Anthony Balderrama

About Anthony Balderrama

Anthony Balderrama writes about hiring trends, workplace issues and job search tactics for CareerBuilder.com and its blog The Work Buzz. He was born and raised in Dallas (115° degrees isn’t hot!) before moving to Chicago (-23° isn’t cold!). He studied creative writing, therefore everything he writes is usually cut in half once he realizes he spent 400 words just on the intro. He knows that looking for a job and dealing with co-workers are not always fun activities, and reading about them is even less thrilling. That’s why he’ll take any opportunity he can to mention his favorite TV show or band in an article. Basically Anthony’s doing whatever he can to avoid hate mail.
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