myfactor Coaching & Consulting, inc.
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Issue No. 3
May 28, 2010
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Greetings!

Michelle Awuku-TatumIt feels like summer is really here in New York.

With long holiday weekend coming up in the US, England and many other holidays around the world, like me you are probably looking forward to the long weekend. Taking a break from your usual routine, is one of the most productive things you can do if you are stuck, feeling mentally sluggish or bogged down with work. Yet if most of us were rated on our ability to really take a break, I mean fully switch off and disconnect from work, I know I for one would fail horribly. How would you fare?

This months' theme is about the benefits of breaking away from work. Echoing the words of Martha Beck, life coach extraordinaire, I hope you find ways to
"stop and intentionally give yourself rest as a gift" every day.

As always your comments, ideas and questions are welcome.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend !

Best,
my signature




Michelle Awuku-Tatum
Career Advancement & Transition Coach
myfactor Coaching & Consulting, inc

in this issue....
Video Inspiration
Take A Break: 5 Good Reasons Why
Resources for Planned Career Breaks
Recents Tweets & Posts
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Video Inspiration

Every seven years, designer Stefan Sagmeister closes his New York studio for a year long sabbatical to rejuvenate and refresh his creative outlook.

In this video, Sagmeister explains the often overlooked value of time off and shows
how his time in Bali inspired several innovative projects.:

Take A Break: 4 Good Reasons Why

"During [these] periods of relaxation after concentrated intellectual activity, the intuitive mind seems to take over and can produce the sudden clarifying insights which give so much joy and delight." Fritjof Capra, physicist

If you are like most hard working professionals, you probably find it hard to take a break every now and then. According to a recent survey by Right Management, 66% of employees did not take all of their vacation time in 2009, obviously fears around job security probably contributed to this number.

I am sure you do not need me to tell you about the benefits of taking a break, but if you feel tired all the time, feel disengaged and unfocused at home or at work; or struggle to disconnect from work, here are 4 good reasons to take advantage of this long holiday weekend or intentional breaks away from work. Taking a break helps you to:

1. Creatively Solve New Challenges: When dealing with a new challenge, research shows we tend to use the same strategy that worked in the past to solve the new situation. This strategy is fine if the new situation is similar to the old one. If the new situation is completely different, this method leads to an impasse. So the next time you are stuck, give your brain a mental break, by not thinking about the problem for as long as possible, this will help to reboot your thinking and perspective.

2. Avert Procrastination: When you start to lose your focus, take a 5-15 minute mini break away from your work area. Do something completely unrelated to work such as a quick walk around the block, floor or in a nearby park, call someone for a power chat or grab someone for a quick coffee. After your quick break jot down what you want like to accomplish, set a deadline and then focus on accomplishing your task in a concerted chunks of time, remembering to break away when you loose focus or interest.

3. Improve Your Memory: Taking a rest break, while you are awake can improve your memory. The next time you learn or consume a large amount of information, take a break to better retain what you have learned. Your brain will thank you for it, as research suggests your brain needs to tune out other tasks so you can tune into what you have just learned.

4. Re-configure Your Working Life: A longer voluntary break from your daily routine, gives you space to reflect,
collect and incubate your thoughts; and piece together your ideas on what you really want to do and accomplish in your working life. In a recently study, 90% of sabbatical takers reported either a "moderate" or a "large" effect on their subsequent vocational trajectory. In addition 80% reported that their sabbatical "refreshed or re-energized" them to a "great extent," while another 15% said to a "moderate extent."
 
So just how do you take a break? Here are 3 suggestions for you to consider:
  1. Sabbaticals enable you to take off a significant period of time from work, to do something different, something you have always wanted to do or learn something new. A number of companies offer fully or partially paid sabbaticals. Refer to your company handbook to see what your company offers. Also take a look at the resources below to get an idea of what to do on a sabbatical. This post is a great read if you want to figure out if a sabbatical is right for you.
  2. Short mini breaks can be a few hours up to one full day where you spend your time doing something that falls outside your usual day-to-day routine. For instance, you could spend half a day at a local museum, take part in a company volunteer day initiative, arrange to shadow someone in a different part of your company or another company; or attend a conference that falls outside your usual area of focus.
  3. Lunch away from your desk: According to The Energy Project, 60% of people get away from their desks for lunch just twice per week-- or less. I love the idea of taking back your lunch! Every Wednesday this summer between 12 and 2, get up from your computer, leave your office, head outside and take time to renew and reconnect with yourself and others.
  4. Tech-breaks: My recent tech break was not planned, but when my blackberry landed in a pool of water I was forced to take one. I found that I was much more productive and focused. Switching off your device, not logging in to email and avoiding the internet for an hour every now and then works wonders, when you need a creative or productivity boost.
I would love to hear how you incorporate intentional rest and productive breaks in your life. In the meanwhile go on take a break, who knows what you will create or conceive afterwards. Whatever you do, the break will be worthwhile.
Resources: Holidays with a Conscience, Career Breaks & Sabbaticals 

Click on the following links to learn more:
Escape 101: The Four Secrets to Taking a Sabbatical or Career Break Without Losing Your Money or Your Mind

Planned strategic job pauses that allow you to travel, do research, volunteer, learn a new skill, or fulfill a lifelong dream.
Recent Tweets & Blog Posts

about myfactor

myfactor Coaching & Consulting, inc provides coaching services to help smart professionals translate and extract value from their stories to thrive during career or entrepreneurial transitions; and to put leadership strategies into practice to advance their careers. Based in New York, we offer one-on-one coaching solutions for career transition, career reinvention and job search.

Michelle Awuku-Tatum loves sharing practical tips and real life examples to help clients translate and extract value from their story; create a clear vision and take steps to reinvent themselves, both personally and professionally. She also enjoys working with entrepreneurs who are starting a new business or want to create a clearer business vision to position themselves and company to prosper in the new economy.

individual coaching clients work with companies such as Citigroup, Bank of America, JPMorgan, Cond� Nast, American Express, Bain and Company, MTV Networks, Jaguar Land Rover, Barclays Capital, Deloitte and many more.

To learn how myfactor's coaching solutions and process can help you, contact Michelle for a complimentary 30-minute telephone consultation. There is no obligation or hard sell and you will leave the conversation with a few ideas to think about!