Take a Break

I hear it from all of my clients: People are as busy as they’ve ever been. Because so many jobs were eliminated during the Great Recession, those who remain employed are expected to be more productive than ever. Even when employees are not at work, they feel the need to stay connected via their smart phones and laptops. Fewer people have the opportunity to rest and recharge.

Yet, it turns out that taking regular breaks can help workers think more clearly, logically and creatively.

Years ago, Nathanial Kleitman, a professor of physiology with the University of Chicago, identified the “basic rest activity cycle,” a 90-minute period during which individuals move through five stages of sleep. We move from light sleep, to deep sleep, and then back out. Years later, Kleitman reported that we experience a similar cycle during our waking lives. About every 90 minutes, we move from a higher to a lower level of alertness.

Instead of battling flagging attention at work with coffee or sugary treats, anyone starting work--people like interns, summer associates and new hires--should get up and move for ten minutes. Grab a change of scenery. Inhale some energy-rich food. You’ll be more productive in the long run.
 

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To manage your time most effectively, use tools and techniques appropriate for your behavioral style preference.

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Limiting the amount of time you spend on email will signicantly improve your productivity. Here's why accomplishing that feat can be so difficult and some strategies that you can employ in order to succeed.

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