To Increase Productivity, Take a Break

There are so many ways we can increase productivity: scanning documents for fast retrieval, eliminating unnecessary work, and setting up an efficient work space are a few we’ve discussed. But can you increase your output by taking more breaks?

Some experts are making compelling arguments that you can do just that.  I was intrigued by this Accidental Creative podcast, in which author Tony Schwartz outlines the key points of his book, The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working. His philosophy is that time management is not the most important thing to productivity; energy management is. What’s the difference? The key to work success is not how much time you devote to each project. What matters more is your energy level. In a given amount of time, exhausted, underfed, overextended workers do not produce as much as those who take care of their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves. However, very few of us in today’s work world manage our energy as well as we could.

What to do? The surprising key to producing more, according to Schwartz, is to take more breaks. The more you’re feeling under the gun, the more important it is that you get a lot done today, the more important it is that you take time for yourself.

Schwartz’s Suggestions

Take more breaks during the day. Schwartz says that your body’s natural rhythms work better with a change of pace at least every 90 minutes. Breaks don’t need to be long, but you do need to change the type of thinking and activity you’re doing. This means that switching from reading a report to reading a newspaper does not count as a break. Do something completely different! Get up and move around. Talk with someone. Learn to meditate.

Power naps are highly recommended. Even 10 to 20 minutes can change your mindset and refresh your energy.

Actually take a break for your lunch break. This means no eating at your desk while you keep plugging away, no meetings during lunch, and no errand running. Take time to recharge your mind as you feed your body. And that’s another thing: be sure to actually eat!

Draw the line between home and work. Now that it’s so easy to work from home, it can be difficult to separate your work from your personal life. Still, it’s essential, not only for your relationship with your family, but for your productivity and creativity at work. Even if you work at home some or all of the time, make a clear line between work time and personal time. Working late into the night or while half-listening to your family in the living room actually saps your energy and divides your attention. Your work will suffer, as well as your personal life.

Play Foosball. I know, it’s a little dot.comish, but it works.  We have a table at Solany, and folks are expected to play.  Get up, clear your head, play some foos.  Make no mistake, I love foosball.  What do you like?  Darts?  Pool?  It doesn’t matter the outlet.  The fact is we spent more time at work then home…make it fun.  Take a break, play a game, crush the competition.  Repeat.

Of course we have to actually work to get things done, but maybe taking more time to live life, and to take care of ourselves, could help us accomplish more. It’s an intriguing idea. I’m going to give it a try.

Posted by: John Cushman on August 31st, 2010 // View Comments
Posted in: News
Tags: Business Productivity, Business Tips
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