This week I’m covering 5 quick and easy things you can do to get better organized and become more productive.
Today: Revitalize your coffee break
If you want to be truly productive and achieve that “mind like water” state promised by Getting Things Done (GTD) here is the biggest secret: sometimes you have to stop doing things.
That’s right, the secret to your becoming more productive, more efficient and accomplishing more means that every day you have to stop and do nothing for a short period of time.
For many, this may be the hardest lesson of all.
So here’s my suggestion: even if you don’t drink coffee (and for heaven’s sake, please don’t smoke!), you need to take a regular coffee break where you get away from your desk and away from everyone else, and have just a few minutes for yourself and your thoughts.
I know. Things are hectic. Everyone wants something from you. But if you give yourself a few minutes to sit quietly and let you mind go blank, you’ll be amazed at the focus and vitality you’ll have after your break is done.
During this break you must not:
- Use your computer or phone. No tweeting!
- Move work from your desk to somewhere else for a few minutes. That is not a break.
- Let yourself get sucked into conversation. Well-meaning individuals may want to bend your ear, and that’s fine, but not on this break. Make it clear you’re not being rude, but you need a few minutes and you’ll be happy to catch up with them later. Keep your promise and they’ll learn to leave you alone during your breaks.
The point of a coffee break is for you to reset, mentally and physically. That might mean that your break is in a quiet corner, or it might be a walk around the building. All I’m advocating for is ten minutes, once a day – twice if you can manage it.
And most important: in those few minutes after your break, be prepared to sit down and capture the ideas and tasks that have just popped into your head. This is a great time to capture an idea and drop it in your inbox. You can process it later. Now you’re ready to get back to work!
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