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!

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