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Optimize yourFactor Newsletter
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Greetings!
It 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,
Michelle Awuku-Tatum Career Advancement & Transition Coach myfactor Coaching & Consulting, inc
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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.:
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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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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!
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