Make a mental note of this: I deserve a break, so I’ll plan it
A good break plan will help me have fun.
Why is that?
A break should be a positive experience rather than a negative one.
If you have ever felt guilty taking a break because you are still working on something and haven’t completed your job desk, then this is one thing I try to avoid.
A ‘break’ for me:
It’s not about proving you deserve a break because you haven’t taken one or are overworked.
Taking a break means to place a pause between one task and another, which is to do something else, or to rest, as a form of work. A rest can also be considered a type of work, as it is a kind of task of its own.
Work-life balance doesn’t apply to breaks
if you enjoy working, you can work as long as you like. Taking a break is a time for pause and doing other things. It might be replying to a client’s message or following up with a friend for dinner, depending on your choice during a break.
Busy people who need a break are taking the wrong break.
You take a break because it is necessary. You need it because it will help you to do things better because you have more energy and better insight and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed by your own workload. The same applies after exercising to enable your muscles to grow and heal.
What is the best way to do plan?
By making a plan, you define your break for success
1. Schedule intentional pauses into your day.
I usually schedule time for these activities, including a morning walk to my local cafe shop before work since it motivates me to get up early and an afternoon run before dinner, even though I frequently have to return to work after dinner.
The fact that I look forward to taking a break motivates me to work hard and get as much done as I can.
2. Choose the activities you value most and plan accordingly.
When you plan things that you don’t think are worthwhile to spend your time on, you probably feel like you have wasted your time. So make sure you pick the right activities, mainly for your benefit. Having a break could mean getting a complete rest, going for a walk or spending some time doing your hobbies.
3. Take a break to explore different tasks and grow stronger.
How about learning something new? Making new friends? Networking? After all, your break should be a positive experience, not a negative one. You do not want to take a break because you feel sick or lack sleep after all day working.
4. Your vocabulary should be free from busy words.
I learned that I need to be more cautious in time management, productivity and how to delegate work to my team. Even though I might not be able to complete tasks in one day, I try to understand why I wasn’t able to do so. Although I cannot avoid a busy work day, I try my best to manage and accomplish my daily task of taking breaks. It is not because I deserve it, but because I need it.
Melbourne, February 2023.
