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Taking breaks has long been (unfairly) associated with unproductivity, so in our fast-paced, competitive world, it can sometimes feel like a disadvantage.
But experienced entrepreneurs understand the importance of scheduling breaks, not just for your physical and mental health, but also for the sustainability of your business. Strategically scheduling breaks into your work calendar can be effective and make moving on to the next stage more enjoyable. Here’s how:
1. Prevent burnout
Entrepreneurs are known for giving it their all when it comes to building their brand or business, and this need for constant striving stems from feeling the need to fill every moment of the day with something productive.
However, this round-the-clock mentality usually leads to burnout, which is hard to recover from. Burnout causes problems for a person’s mental and physical health, and pushing yourself too hard often leaves you feeling unfulfilled, no matter how much you accomplish.
Scheduling breaks goes hand in hand with setting boundaries. Without someone monitoring your schedule or telling you when to start and finish your work, it’s up to you to know your limits. Working in chunks with breaks for exercise, recreation, or quick naps is an important part of your day.
Related: How to Achieve CEO-Level Focus by Breaking Habits and Taking Breaks
2. It gives you a new perspective on the problem
Entrepreneurs are known for multitasking, taking on all business roles at once. This overstimulation can make solving even relatively simple tasks much more difficult than they need to be. This makes it difficult to fully focus on one thing.
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get stuck in a siloed vision of how things should be done. Sometimes stepping back from a problem can free your mind and allow you to see the problem with a fresh perspective.
Take time to collaborate with others, get inspired by others, or focus on non-work-related activities or hobbies. Stepping away, even for a short time, can help you re-establish the goals you want to achieve and create a more direct path to get there.
3. It improves your mood
Like burnout, working long hours can lead to mood changes that can impact both your professional and personal life. Whether it’s emails, meetings, or other interactions, you may not realize how much working too much can change the course of your daily life.
If you’re feeling like your patience is wearing thin, get outside and enjoy some fresh air. Take a nature walk, read in the park, or eat your lunch outdoors. You might be surprised at how having some sunshine on your face can lift your mood and make you more productive than being cooped up in the office.
Related: Use these brain hacks from a clinical psychologist for taking breaks to be more productive than ever
4. It teaches discipline
It may sound counterintuitive, but taking breaks improves discipline and productivity because it gives you scheduled times to get things done within set blocks of time.
Imagine you have eight hours to complete a project. Do you work for that entire time, or do you get distracted by email, social media, or the myriad other things you have to deal with in life? Think about how much more you could get done if you cut that time in half without any distractions.
Think about what times work best for you — some people might work 2-3 hours in the morning, a longer break in the afternoon, and a larger work block in the evening, while others might work shorter blocks throughout the day. The good news is that this is your schedule, so you can set the parameters.
Make the most of your downtime
While there’s no “right” way to take a break, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind, especially if you’re nervous about slowing down.
Always remember that the purpose of taking a break is for your health and the overall benefit of your business. Constantly trying to catch up will lower your morale and make it harder to keep track of how well you’re doing.
Here are some things to consider when planning your break:
- Change the time. Allow yourself at least one 15-minute break and one 30-minute or longer break. Short breaks can be used to stretch your legs, have a snack, or take a quick nap. Longer breaks can be used to chat with a loved one, read a few chapters of your favorite book, or exercise. Give yourself the benefit of a complete break without checking email or social media.
- Please put it on your calendar. Book an appointment with yourself. Add it as a calendar entry to rest, relax, and recharge. Block out time as you review your plan for each week, so by the time you tackle your tasks for the day, a break is already built into your workflow.
- Schedule quarterly “retreats.” A relaxation retreat doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive endeavor. It simply means scheduling a day, or at least a portion of your day, for something fun. One of the ultimate goals for most entrepreneurs is to have more time in life to have more fun, but busy schedules often leave no time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Make time for it.
Related: 3 proven ways to take breaks to help you be more productive
Taking breaks has become more and more appreciated in the past few years as people have started to realize the impact of not taking breaks. Think of breaks as an investment in your business, not a delay in your schedule. The more you can balance your work and real life, the more naturally the two will intertwine and you’ll find your optimal schedule.