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Tag Archives: intentional breaks and productivity

August 21, 2024 How Sitting Still Can Be Productive

We live in a culture that rewards “go getters” and highly motivated people. We expect quick turnarounds and instantaneous results. Because of our fast-paced world, we tend to equate productivity with action. Send off a couple hundred emails, make advances in your project, attend that after-work networking event—all this activity can seem like progress and productivity…but is it?

Sometimes, work for work’s sake can actually be counterproductive. If, for example, you never pause to consider your trajectory, you might inadvertently head in the wrong direction (OR you might neglect to consider an alternative path you could take).

Additionally, if you never take time to rest and recharge, you may end up burning out. We all have a limited capacity in our “personal batteries.” If you’re barreling forward without the occasional pause, you risk depleting those reserves and being unable to perform at your best.

Taking time to sit still, reflect, and recharge can actually make you more productive in the long run. It allows you to gain perspective, identify areas for improvement, and come back to your work with renewed energy and focus. Embracing moments of stillness and contemplation can be a powerful tool for enhancing your productivity and achieving your goals.

Here are a few ideas to help you remember to pause, reflect, and perhaps re-strategize before moving forward:

Schedule Regular Reflection Time

Set aside a recurring block of time, even if it’s just 15-30 minutes, to pause and reflect on your progress, challenges, and next steps. This could be first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed. Consider jotting your ideas in a notebook or a Google doc.

Practice Mindfulness

Incorporate mindfulness exercises like meditation or deep breathing to help you be present and attentive to your thoughts and feelings. This can provide clarity and perspective.

Seek Outside Perspectives

Talk to a mentor, colleague, or trusted friend about your work. Getting an outside viewpoint can reveal blind spots or uncover new possibilities.

Take Breaks

Regularly step away from your work to give your mind a chance to rest and recharge. Even short breaks to stretch, go for a walk, or engage in a hobby can help you return to your tasks with renewed energy and focus.

Embrace Solitude

Carve out time for solitude, whether it’s a quiet morning routine or an evening without distractions. Use this time to reflect, journal, or simply allow your mind to wander without the pressure of productivity.

By incorporating these practices, you can create space for productive contemplation and self-reflection. This can help you gain clarity, identify areas for growth, and approach your work with renewed purpose and focus. Remember, true productivity is not about constant motion, but about strategically pausing, reflecting, and then taking purposeful action. Embrace the power of stillness to enhance your overall productivity and achieve your goals more effectively.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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April 17, 2024 How Intentional Breaks Increase Productivity

Though it may sound counterintuitive, the occasional break can absolutely help to increase productivity. This is a way to pump the brakes, take a step back from life’s chaos, and strategize your next steps.

I know many people who put the pedal to the metal in the morning and go, go, go all day. Maybe they zone out occasionally, scrolling through social media or watching a show, but then they’re back at it the next day. This pace is not sustainable for most people, and it can often lead to burnout, discontentedness with work (or life), feeling distant from loved ones, or losing a sense of self. Believe it or not, one remedy is to take intentional breaks.

Keep in mind, an intentional break is different than mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or watching TV. Rather, an intentional break involves purposefully stepping away from work or tasks to recharge your mind and body. It could be a short walk outside, a mindfulness meditation session, or even a brief chat with a colleague. These breaks allow you to return to your work with renewed focus and energy.

Here are a few ways taking meaningful breaks can help:

Zoom Out Your Lens

When you’re living day-to-day in a state of constant activity and busyness, you can neglect to see the bigger picture. You tend to focus on the immediate tasks and lose sight of long-term goals and priorities. By taking intentional breaks, you can zoom out your lens and gain a fresh perspective. This mental shift helps you realign with what truly matters and avoid getting caught up in the day-to-day grind. Such breaks allow you to recharge, refocus, and come back with renewed energy and clarity to tackle challenges more effectively.

Course Correct

Sometimes when you look at the bigger picture, you realize you’re on the wrong track entirely. In these cases, it’s best not to panic! In truth, this is an opportunity—a chance to course correct and redirect your efforts in a more beneficial direction. Taking intentional breaks offers you the chance to step back, reassess your current path, and make any necessary adjustments. This pause in action can be a valuable opportunity to reset your course and ensure you’re moving in alignment with your long-term objectives.

Reflect On What’s Important

What matters most to you? Maybe it’s your family or close friends. Maybe it’s a particular cause that you’re involved with. Or, perhaps, it is a passion project or hobby. Whatever the case, taking meaningful breaks can help you gain clarity on your priorities. This allows you to reflect on what truly matters in your life and ensures that your actions align with your values.

Re-Energize

Taking a break to relax your mind and body can lead to a burst of creativity and renewed energy. By allowing yourself this time to recharge, you can approach tasks with greater enthusiasm and focus. When you allow yourself quiet time, away from the bustle of everyday life, your mind has the tendency to rejuvenate itself and generate new ideas. This mental reset can be the key to overcoming creative blocks and finding innovative solutions to problems.

Intentional breaks can serve as a catalyst for increased productivity and overall well-being. By incorporating these pauses into your routine, you empower yourself to approach challenges with a fresh perspective and the energy needed to tackle them effectively. Remember, a moment of pause can lead to great strides forward.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

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