You’re working hard on your goals, keeping focused, making sure you stay on track and then it hits. You feel overwhelmed with all the tasks that need to be done. You suddenly feel like you have hit a wall. You need a break.
Welcome back to our ongoing talk about goals and how to achieve them. Today we are going to look at taking a break so you can get more done. I know it sounds counter intuitive but stay with me.
It’s true that you need a laser type focus to achieve your goals but concentrating for a long periods of time can be taxing both emotionally and physically. This often results in a tired mind, aching muscles, and a complete lack of energy. And when this happens your goals achievement stops.
So what can you do to take a break so you can rest and revive yourself during your work day while still being stay productive?
I have some suggestions that I do to stay in on top of my game. Check out these suggestions and try these out and see if you aren’t more productive at the end of the day
1. Close your eyes and listen to three songs on your MP3. Most people have some of their favorite music loaded up on a phone, MP3 player, or other electronic device. You should choose music that you find relaxing; I’d suggest putting your headphones on and listen extra close to the music and the words. I have a wide variety of music genders that I listen to but when I’m looking for a break I listen to Contemporary Christian, Jazz or some Blues.
• Let your stress float away and clear your mind as you let the music flow in. Focus on the notes and the words
• Music soothes the body and soul. After three songs, you’ll be surprised at how relaxed you feel. You’ll regain the strength necessary to make it through the rest of the day.
2. Shut your office door, prop your feet, and lean back. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, stop and let the stress fall off you. You’ll feel suddenly relaxed and comforted by the silence and feel of your own ability to inhale and exhale. Then, open your eyes and you’ll feel refreshed. Word of warning on this one, set a timer for 5-10 minutes because you might fall asleep. Don’t ask me how I know this….
3. Take a brisk 10-minute walk. I call this managing by walking around. Just walk away from what you’re doing and spend a few minutes stretching your legs. If you need some fresh air, go outside and walk around the block. Once you your blood is pumping at an optimum level will make you feel revitalized!
4. Splash cool water on your face. Take a bathroom break, splash cool water on your face and wrists, and then dry them off. Sometimes, cool stimulation to those areas is not only refreshing, but it can also wake you up if you’re feeling sleepy.
• If you prefer, wet a paper towel with cool water. Then you can continually blot your face, neck, arms, and wrists to stimulate your senses.
• It’s amazing how much this little break can perk you up and allow your positive energy to flow again.
5. Power nap. (my favorite) If your employer allows you a 15-minute break in the afternoon, use it to take a nap. Even if you don’t usually take naps, give it a try. This is my favorite.
• Set a timer for ten minutes and try to snooze. If you have your own office, close your door, get comfortable in your chair, and grab a few minutes of shut eye.
• When the alarm goes off, you still have five minutes left to take a brief walk around your department, grab a refreshing drink of water, or have quick chat in the break room. The important thing is to get up or you will soon drop back into a sleep mode and that’s not a good thing
6. Work someplace else for a change of scenery. You just might need to break out of your rut work form some someplace else.
• If you work in a large office, book a conference room for a couple hours. You can even trying sitting in a different chair or on the couch in your office.
• If you work from home, take your laptop outside and sit on the porch to work. Or try working in the living room today if you’re the only one home.
• Work from the coffee shop for a couple hours. Make sure you buy a couple coffees to help pay for the Wi-Fi.
Although working on your goals can be tedious, you do have some choices in what you can do to break the routine up so you can relax and revitalize yourself throughout the day. When you come back from your break you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle your goals with new energy.
So use music, deep breathing techniques, walking, cool water splashes, power napping, and scenery changes in order to keep you alert, focused and productive. These methods will help you embrace that next step in your project with optimism and renewed energy.
Do you have a way of staying focused? Take a minute and share.
Chat soon
Percy