Scheduling Breaks

Is it just me, or at the start of every year do you find yourself longing for that next break? This year I found it SO hard to knock the holiday cheer out of my head and refocus on work. As an ex-employee used to say “They call it work for a reason.”

With that in mind here are 3 simple reasons why I think scheduling breaks in your year can make all the difference in setting the right mood for work.

Relax Into Work
Organizing a break, even if it’s slightly disorganized (as in we’re hitting the road for a week and we’ll see where the road takes us) means you can relax into work. Relax? Sure. Ever tried to concentrate on a problem when you know there’s a big to-do list looming, and all the little things that need to get done are scratching at the back of your brain? Make a plan for time off, and then those late nights and early mornings will feel like stepping stones toward happiness.

You Be Nice - Please!
Taking a break can literally make you a nicer person. Sure, before a break it’s hectic. All those pesky things you need to tie up before you push off. But the ah factor of knowing that you are about to have some much-needed time off, almost always translates into a nicer version of you. Gosh, this project is fulfilling and irritating all at once. But wait! I have a break coming up. I can make it through. I can! Deep sigh. Back to work. Good times ahead.

Bigger POV
Taking a break can not only clear your head it can give you a bigger perspective on the wide world around you. Besides seeing how other people live, and enjoying a bit of beauty or excitement, you are stimulating your mind and creating more opportunities for new ideas to flourish and grow. It’s not just good for your soul, it’s good for your brain - and your career.