Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Ben Yoskovitz — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 22:45:03 -0000

Gayla - that sounds like quite a mother.

But it also sounds like even more reason to take a break.

Blogging from the backyard sounds great. As soon as the weather gets a bit nicer, that's 100% my plan as well!

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Gayla McCord — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:30:59 -0000

Ben ~ I grew up with a mother that fluttered around like a butterfly on acid. Even to this day, at 62 with a full lower leg replacement and serious head injury a few years ago, she can still run circles around me.

Every time I think about taking a ME day, I can hear my mom saying "there's plenty of time for rest when you're dead." LOL

God love my mom!

I did just get a laptop, so in the near future I'll be blogging from the backyard in a chase lounge - that's probably the best I can do for rest. :)

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Ben Yoskovitz — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:45:35 -0000

Dave,

Coffee or Red Bull aren't a substitute for a break, but you can drink them while on a break, right?

And for BlackBerry users, it doesn't count if you turn off your email client only to have your BlackBerry buzzing right next to you when new email comes in. How sick is that? Working on the computer but checking email on the BlackBerry. And I consider myself productive?!?! *ouch*

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Dave — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:29:30 -0000

Ben,

Just a thought. Coffee (or red bull) is not a substitute for a break. Tried it and it doesn't work.

Distraction is a real problem for me. Dawud, I agree you do need to turn off your feed reader and email client. I just get distracted looking for the close button. :grin:

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Dawud Miracle — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:12:12 -0000

Gayla, I agree with Ben. You have to take time for yourself. I work hard - I also play and rest hard.

Ben, one of the things I try to do is work highly focused for 50 minutes out of each hour - usually on one and no more than two tasks. Then, I take a 10 minute break. Then back to 50 minutes of focused work. I've found this to be more effective than any other way for me to work.

Also, you have to turn off your feed reader and your email client for stretches.

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:27:12 -0000

Gayla - I don't think a "me" day is selfish at all. It's a must! Actually, I'm tempted to take one right now...

Marc - Thanks for the book reference, I'll have to take a look.

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

james kingsted - Domain name e — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:42:39 -0000

Great advise I some times feel like it get to be to much. I think your right that you need to take a break sure work is productive but there come a time when you just need a breath of fresh air. I think I shall take 15 thanks!

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Marc Chriqui — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:27:08 -0000

I read a great book called "The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal". It talks about the importance of downtime and other energy management principles. I recommend it.

Re: Be More Productive By Taking A Break

Gayla McCord — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:10:39 -0000

Great tips! Of course for a person who is OCD and ADHD it's kind of difficult to take a break. I did just take a very selfish 'me' day last week though :)

Sometimes I work best going full throttle for a week or so and then taking one day to just goof off doing whatever I want, even if it's holding down the couch.