I’m currently putting together a PowerPoint presentation for a staff in-service at work. I've been sitting in front of my computer for hours gathering and organizing the information and playing with PowerPoint formating and animation.
Sometimes when I have a task to accomplish, I will bury myself in the project until it’s done.
I say this is good and bad.
The good is obvious: I will get the task done! The bad, however: I will work through lunch hours which leaves me wide open to a sweet tooth attack later in the day. I will sit (although fidgeting constantly!) for long periods of time in front of a computer screen which leads to the Heavy Eyes Numb Bum Syndrome.
And like the Law of Diminishing Returns from Economics 101, the longer I sit, the less productive I am.
I have recently started realizing the power of “The Break.”
In some respects I don't think I've been used to taking breaks on the job! Kind of funny, isn't it? I used to work on an inpatient unit for many years where "The Break" was a fantasy, like Santa Claus! (You... all... don't still believe in Santa... right???)
Now I’m in a completely different work environment where "The Break" is real, available, and plentiful! Yet I almost feel guilty if I stop working for a while to enjoy it!
This week I’ve started making myself take breaks throughout the day. I even - heaven forbid - leave the hospital during my lunch break! And I like it! What a rebel I am! 
I find that my total productivity increases with breaks, even though technically I'm working less. Plus, breaks seem to make the work day go by quicker (big, cheesy grin)!
You may be thinking, "Yeah, I already knew all of this!" But apparently I have not been well versed in the power of "The Break."
I have every confidence, though, that I'll be quite a master of it... and very soon!
Related Posts -
Noticing Habits - Discoveries From My Food Journal Since I've been keeping a food journal I've noticed a couple of things. First, I seem to crave something sweet after I eat, but it can't be just any sweet. If I try to eat what I'm not craving - say a banana when I really want a big, chewy...... -
Day After A Binge Holidays are prime times to eat way more than is necessary with meals that are extremely rich and loaded with calories! It's fun to visit with family and feast on foods we normally would not allow past our lips, but it's not fun afterwards when we're in a food coma...... - Beating the Sugar Addiction - My Journey Funny how things suddenly become clear to you, as though a fog has lifted. I've been in a fog of sorts for quite some time, a sugar fog. Only recently has this dense, gray world begun to disappear. I've finally come to a place where I feel confident I can......
-
Working on the Food Journal I started a food journal last week with the ultimate purpose of helping me get control of my sugar cravings and eat cleaner. I've been jotting down breakfast and lunch, but that's as far as I get. I take my journal (which is just an inexpensive notebook) with me to...... -
Exercising With a Cold - Is It OK? I hate colds! They put such a damper on daily activities. I'm experiencing the joyful symptoms of one right now. I’ve got an itchy, sneezing, runny nose, and my head feels like it's stuffed with cotton. But I’m drinking my fluids and taking cold medicine. The question is: Can I......
Related Websites -
Getting Past Exercise Burnout Whether you are just starting out on an exercise plan, or you have been working out for years, exercise burnout can be a big problem. This is particularly true if you find exercising challenging, both from a motivational aspect and from a physical aspect. Burnout can easily derail your fitness...... -
How to Replace a Shower Head Replacing a shower head is a task that does not require any difficult or painstaking steps. It is a matter of fact that the steps are quite simple. What is difficult for most people is the full process. There are quite a few, easy steps that if done out of...... -
How to Replace a Window Replacing your windows can bring numerous benefits to your home. Not only will they look nicer and add value to your property, but you can also gain significant energy savings. Most new windows are now heat and cold efficient and will greatly reduce the amount of drafts coming in as...... -
4 Ways to Avoid Missing Breakfast We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but sometimes the siren call of the snooze alarm is too hard to ignore. We wake up, way behind schedule and there's simply no time to eat a healthy breakfast. Over time, this can lead to...... -
Make an Impact When it comes to golfing, a lot of attention to paid to the feet, the entire stance and the swing, but the moment of impact is possibly the most critical. Whether you are trying to hit a ball 200 yards or 2 inches, it’s that moment of impact that will......
- Lunch Boxes John Deere Agriculture Advertising Collectibles
- Work Womens Shoes
- Work Benches Benches, Chairs & Lounges Patio & Garden Furniture Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Home Front United States Original Period Items WW II (1939-45) Militaria Collectibles
- Computer Armoires Home Office Furniture Home Store
Categories:
News, The Workplace
Tags:
4 comments ↓
The problem comes when your break time is bigger than your productive time, which is my tendency. LOL
I’m glad you’re finding the benefit of a good break!
Last night that worked out really well for me…I got Micah to time me fore 25 minutes of writing, 25 minutes of break, 25 minutes of writing and then free time. It was a nice mix. When I’m sewing and such, I often have a hard time making myself take a break. I’ve been known to sew for 6 hours with nothing but the occasional bathroom breaks. Sometimes I won’t let myself use the bathroom unless I finish this part…it’s bad. But I also really enjoy being in the compulsive flow of a sewing project, so it’s not all bad. I just have to learn to break up the compulsion at least every few hours.
Lynnae,
Yes, you’re absolutely right. It’s not good to go to the other extreme either… (even though sometimes it’s fun)!
Mrs. Micah,
I imagine it’s probably very calming too. I’m sure you’ve created some very lovely quilts and sewing projects!
Well, at least your love for quilting and sewing is a creative and productive activity.
Leave a Comment