Productivity Tip #04: Take A Break And Recharge

When people write about productivity they very often give off the impression that it involves being active and getting stuff done all of the time. Productivity in its traditional sense is essentially about doing more with less. Getting more projects completed in less time. Problem with that is there is no scope for downtime. In fact downtime is taboo in traditional work environments. It’s all about making sure the machinery fails less and needs fewer repairs.

The problem with that is we aren’t machines. We need downtime. Even though it might seem at odds with the whole concept of productivity, taking time off makes us more effective in the long run. The Matrix analogy of humans being batteries actually makes a lot of sense. Every so often we do need to recharge. Whether it be a one minute break to clear your head or a week long holiday to recover from a stressful time at work, don’t underestimate the benefits. Just be sure to make the most of it. Some people go on holiday but they are so hung up on what is happening at that job that they can’t relax or disconnect from it all. However, work will always go on without you whether you are on a break or not.

One argument that also gets thrown around is that working hard and getting a lot done is good for you. There’s no scope for lounging on the sofa with these people! This is an old fashioned belief that gets repeated because they don’t have anything else to do other than work or they just merely like the ego boost that comes with it. Our lifestyles and the work environment are radically different nowadays. While the statement has tenants of truth (research does suggest that hard work, when applied to the right areas, is good for your mental growth), the very same people who say it also tend to brag how they’ve not had an holiday or a day off in years. And, boy does it show. Don’t be made to feel guilty about taking a break, you’re entitled to it.

Productivity Tips: 10 Clever Ideas For Getting Things Done is an updated and expanded collection of the first ten posts in my popular productivity tips series and is now available to all for free.