Your Most Productive Day Doesn’t Happen The Days You Do Nothing But Grind

I just went on a vacation to France with my friends. I’m not saying that to make you jealous, I swear. (Pinky swear.) 

Friends I hadn’t seen for (we calculated) 6 or 7 years because we live on opposite coasts when they’re not in France.

We kept in touch along the way, of course.

But when was the last time you got (and gave) a bear hug to some of your closest friends?

They live in the south of France (hence the magnificent photo, sorrynotsorry). She picked up some pastries every day on her way back from tai chi and stopped in one of the (daily) open-air markets to pick up other food. Living the French life.

I didn’t bring my laptop. I needed a true break. Not doing work from a beautiful place and pretending that’s a break. I did check my emails, but mostly because I had things going on with my mom’s estate. 

I left an auto-responder on my emails explaining that I was practicing what I preach and taking a break. No one had a problem with that, and I do mean not a single person complained. I say that because sometimes people are afraid to take actual time off without working at some point

And when I came back, I was excited to get back. Not because I was worried about anything in my absence. But because taking the break allowed my brain to process things and I got some new, exciting ideas while I was gone.

I recharged. As a result, I had plenty of productive things to do when I returned.

The National Day of Self-Care is April 5, and this is a reminder that you actually do better work and enjoy a more productive day when you take the breaks you need to take. Several throughout the day when you’re doing focused work, a sleep break for 7-8 hours every night, and time away from work for several days or more.

Self-care isn’t just bubble baths and a big honkin’ glass of wine (I’d argue that last one is more self-destructive, but I get that people just want a break.) And you need to put on your own oxygen mask first or else you can’t help anyone else.

What helps you recharge? How do you take a break and come back with fresh eyes and a fresh brain? Bring more of that into your life.

Having trouble finding time for a break? You’re probably spending too much time distracted, as so many people do. Take the Distraction Quiz to find out what’s your biggest distraction and how to solve it. Then get ready for finding plenty of productive things to do!