The opinions expressed by (*4*) authors are their very own.
Taking breaks has long been (unfairly) associated with unproductivity, so much so that in a fast-paced and highly competitive world it can feel like a drawback.
However, experienced entrepreneurs understand the importance of planning breaks not only for physical and mental health care, but also for business sustainability. Strategically scheduling them into your work calendar can be effective and make moving to the next step more enjoyable. Here’s how.
1. Prevents burnout
Entrepreneurs are known for attempting to lower your expenses while building their brands and corporations. This constant have to rush comes from a feeling of needing to fill every moment of the day with something productive.
However, this attitude towards working around the clock normally results in burnout, which is difficult to recuperate from. Burnout causes problems for a person’s physical and mental health. Plus, pushing too hard often results in unfulfillment, regardless of how much you accomplish.
Planning break times goes hand in hand with setting boundaries. No one will supervise your schedule or tell you when to start out and stop working, it’s as much as you to know your limits. Working in blocks of time with breaks for exercise, entertainment, and even a short nap are vital parts of the day.
2. Gives a fresh look at the problem
Entrepreneurs are known for multitasking and wearing all their business hats at once. This overstimulation can make solving relatively easy tasks tougher than obligatory. It makes it not possible to completely focus on one thing.
As an entrepreneur, it is simple to get caught up in a hidden vision of how something needs to be done. Sometimes stepping away from a problem can free your mind and allow you to look at it from a fresh perspective.
Take time to collaborate and be inspired by others, or focus on other activities and hobbies that are not work-related. Time off, regardless of how short, can re-solidify the goal(s) you want to realize and create a clearer path to get there.
3. Improves your mood
Similar to burnout, working too many hours can result in mood swings that can impact each business and personal relationships. Whether it’s an email, a meeting, or one other interaction, you may not realize how much overwork can change the course of your each day life.
When you notice that your patience is wearing thin, take a break outside and enjoy the fresh air. Take a walk in nature, read in the park, or eat lunch outdoors – you could be surprised how much sun on your face can improve your mood and increase your productivity in comparison with sitting in your own office space.
4. It makes you more disciplined
It could seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can increase discipline and productivity. This is because the scheduled execution time of the tasks is inside a specific timeframe.
Consider when you have eight hours to finish a project. Are you working on all of it the time, or does your mind wander to emails, social media, or the million other things that have to be taken care of in life? Compared to cutting that point in half without distractions, think how much more you can accomplish.
Consider which blocks of time work best for you. For some this will likely be two or three hours in the morning with a long break in the afternoon and more blocks of labor in the evening. For others, it might be shorter blocks throughout the day. The excellent news is that it’s your schedule, so you set the parameters.
Make the most of your downtime
While there is no “right” technique to take a break, there are some helpful suggestions to maintain in mind, especially if the considered taking a break makes you feel uncomfortable.
Always keep in mind that the break is for the good of your health and business. Constantly playing catch-up can lower your morale and make it harder for you to evaluate how well you’re doing.
Here are things to contemplate when planning your breaks:
- Various times. Create at least one 15-minute break and one that lasts at least half-hour or longer. You can use a shorter break to stretch your legs, make a snack or take a quick nap. Longer breaks can be used to catch up with a loved one, read a few chapters of your favorite book or exercise. Give yourself a complete break without checking emails or social media.
- Put them on your calendar. Book meetings with yourself. Add it as an entry in your calendar to rest, calm down and recharge. Block out your time by reviewing your planning each week so that when you tackle your tasks for the day, breaks are already built into your workflow.
- Schedule quarterly “retreats.” A leisure retreat doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. This simply means planning your day, or at least a part of it, to do something enjoyable. For most entrepreneurs, one of the ultimate goals is to unencumber time for more pleasures in life, but it is easy to get caught up in a busy schedule without taking time to enjoy the fruits of your labor; make time for it.
Over the last few years, taking breaks has grow to be more famous as people have began to see the consequences of ignoring them. Think of them as a business investment, not a disruption to your schedule. The more you find a balance between work and real life, the more the two will organically intertwine until you find your best routine.