Day 6: Take breaks

Welcome to Day 6 of the Club 12 Productivity Challenge - a 7-day challenge designed to help you build an air-tight productivity system.

Here’s what we’ve covered so far:

1. Conduct a Mind Cleanse

2. Create a task list you can actually get done

3. Find your Peak Performance Period (PPP)

4. Use the 1-2-5 Method™

5. Time-block daily

Here’s what we’re looking at today…

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The power of taking a break

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a break. Today, we’re going to look at three different ways to take effective breaks—so you can come back to your work feeling refreshed and productive:

1. The Pomodoro Technique. You begin your work, and every 25 minutes, you take a 5-minute break. You can set a timer on your phone, your computer, or even use a kitchen timer. Work for 25 minutes with full focus, and then take a 5-minute break.

2. Take a break every 90-minutes. This is the one that I use most frequently. Every 90 minutes, just get up from your seat and either do a little stretching, do some push-ups, or go outside and go for a walk.

3. Get outside in nature. There’s something magical about taking a break outside in nature—without any devices to distract you. Once a day, take a 5-15 minute walk outside, under the sun. Doing this taps into a different part of your brain—the creative part. The part that comes up with new ideas and solutions to problems you haven’t been able to solve. Plus, the sun’s rays wake your brain up, so when you’re done and sit back down at your workspace, you’ll feel more refreshed and focused. (Pro tip: Leave your phone inside and bring some notecards and a pen—so that when an idea strikes, you can jot it down.)

During your break, DO NOT think or do anything you’d consider to be work. Think about something fun, talk to your kids, do some breath-work or meditation, draw a picture of yourself kicking your high school bully’s ass… Do something other than work. This mental “switch” will help you recharge and come back to your work with a fresh perspective.

Actionable insights

Your challenge for today is to begin incorporating one of these methods I shared with you today.

Here’s the menu, take your pick:

1. Try the Pomodoro Technique.

2. Take a 5-15 minute break every 90 minutes.

3. Take a brief 5-15 minute walk in nature at least once a day.

Pick one and try it tomorrow.

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Stay productive,
—Dean

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