Yes, I know the obvious disconnect in this title. We all believe that if we just work more, we’ll get more done. But I’ve found that’s not necessarily true. My best productivity comes from having a mix of work and regular breaks.
Where are you and what are you doing when you get your best ideas? Over the last twenty years I’ve asked this of hundreds of clients and friends. The most frequent answers are “when I was in the shower,” “when I was walking on the beach,” “when I was reading a book,” “when I was on the treadmill,” or “when I was relaxing in the bathtub.” Seldom does anyone claim to get their best ideas when they are fully immersed in their work.
