Before I start a project I take a break. It could be a short pause with a deep breath or a quick walk to help me get my mind focused.
The worst thing anyone can do at work is start a project without looking at where to put their focus.
They jump in and make a ton of mistakes.
Lately I’ve been taking a Kermit the Frog dancing break. I swivel my arms from side to side and stamp my feet. It helps clear out the cobwebs that can form from focused work.
It helps that half my work week I work from a home office where no one can see me.
I don’t dance like Kermit the Frog at my co-working space. I might spin around in a cool swivel chairs walk down 7 flight of stairs and then back up.
Your energy is the most important resource that you have.
Time is great, but if you are exhausted you will never do great work.
I would rather have an hour of high energy and focused work vs. 2 hours of tired and sluggish work.
You’ll also retain more of the information you learn in a day because you took the time to let it soak in and process.
Stop Pushing Through
Last week I jumped into writing a blog post and I got halfway through and I hit a wall. I didn’t know where to go next. Instead of pushing through I decided to take a break.
I went to the bathroom then made myself a mug of green tea.
The hard part is actually getting yourself to slow down before you start a project. Many of you don’t think you have the time to take a break before you start.
I thought the same thing, but with a little practice my breaks have helped me complete work faster than if I just jump in.
Next time you are about to do something difficult from writing a detailed email to analyzing data try taking a break.
Taking an active break is very simple.
Step 1: Take 3 deep breaths.
Step 2: Think about what you would like to accomplish in the next hour.
Step 3: Think about how to best accomplish your goal.
Then go for it. This Active Break could take 1 or 5 minutes, but it will help you make smarter decisions with your time. I’ve found that I actually am more energized because I have a vision for my next hour instead of just jumping in.
I can be impulsive with my actions. Like I said I get an idea and want to run with it. I don’t want to slow down my motivated momentum. Sometimes I will run with it and see what happens, but 99% of the time I end up hitting a wall. I used to try to power through.
Worst choice in that situation.
You can’t find a way through a brick way by ramming your head against it. You’ll just get blood all over the place.
So I’ve learned to take 3 deep breaths and step back from my work. I’ll usually go for a short walk. If I’m at my co-working space I’ll take the elevator down to the basement and walk up the 7 flights of stairs. If I’m at home I’ll walk out into my backyard.
The key is not to try to solve my problem.
You can’t fight a problem with more fire. You need an active break.
A break that helps you create emotional distance and see the problem from new angles.
Then the problem/project becomes easier to solve.
I would rather solve a problem/project in 2 hours than 4. I’m pretty sure you would too.
You’ve probably heard the phrase:
Work smarter not harder.
Here are a few weird breaks that I’ve done and seen other people do at work. 🙂
I believe active breaks are how to make this happen.
How do you use breaks to help you work smarter?
If you struggle with finding time to take breaks then you need to start small. You need to become more aware of when you need to take a break and why it can help you be more productive The more you can be aware and see your patterns that cause you to struggle, the easier it gets to improve your career and enjoy your work. Try filling out the Dig to Fly single sheet. It helps you break what is weighing you down and find new ways of looking at the issue.