Stop working to grow your business
Running and growing a small business can sometimes feel very much like a hamster on a wheel, where the hamster has to wear 68 different hats, carry 32 bags with important stuff in whilst talking with authority on a subject of choice in a calm and authoritative manner, not yet realising that there’s a used tissue stuck to the sole of its foot and it’s split it’s Frappuccino.
You’re the hamster, just in case that wasn’t clear.
So it is mighty tempting to cram as much work into our day as inhumanly possible, dealing with the bricks of client work before stuffing the bits in between with the mortar of growth thinking and actions that will actually move our business forward. Or often, not doing the growth thinking and doing very little that actually builds a sustainable business.
And when we do get time to work on our business, it can be tempting to cram that time so we get as much done as possible. But when it comes to working ON your business – whether that is marketing, strategy or pretty much anything else that creates growth - it has to be creative, quality, productive thinking and doing.
How do we achieve that? By stopping working completely, of course.
Taking a break has been given a bad reputation, but it’s crucial for productive, creative work. There is NOTHING good about smoking except (and there’s a phrase I never thought I would write) that it forced you leave your desk and go and meander around in the fresh air. Granted, the bit about sucking deadly poisons into your lungs does somewhat diminish the benefits, but the getting out for 10 minutes was a focus-enhancing miracle.
But not all breaks are created equal. Sadly, scrolling on your phone, surfing the net and hanging out on the socials are bad ways to spend a break, as they overload your pre-frontal cortex with unnecessary decision making (‘Shall I click that article about why Beyonce is hopping mad?’… ‘Why has my mate posted that picture of me with cross-eyes?’… ‘Shall I buy that miracle cure for indecision?).
So here are lots of other ways to take better breaks so you can do your best business growth thinking…
First, let’s talk timings. You’ll probably know about the Pomodoro technique (work for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break). Why not try out a break ratio that works for you? What about 19 minutes on and 1 minute off? Perfect for when you are in a flow of creative work, but want to change up your thinking. Or 30 minutes on and 15 minutes off? Extended breaks can really provide reinvigoration. And according to the Harvard Business Review, longer breaks work particularly well in the afternoon as fatigue worsens as the day goes on. (But if you get to 2 minues work, 98 minutes break, you may have gone too far).
Get creative in your break. This is going to really up your strategic and creative thinking, as your right brain will get a bit of a workout and your pre-frontal gets to put its feel up for a while. Pick a creative break activity to suit your break length. For a one minuter, you can do 60 seconds of doodling (but move away from your desk to do it), or for longer spells, crack open the Lego, or do some creative writing, music making or similar.
Get moving. Get strolling, jogging, sprinting, roller skating, acrobatics… whatever takes your fancy. Get the heart beating faster, the limbs moving and get a change of scenery in one fell swoop. It is said to improve executive functioning, which is the set of skills we have that includes the ability to plan ahead and stay focussed. So get those trainers on.
Day dreaming. A more sedate break idea, but just as beneficial. Research quoted by Walden University has shown that day dreaming reduces stress and helps with problem-solving and enhances creativity. Sit somewhere non-desky and give yourself ten minutes to daydream. Apparently the most popular topic to daydream about is winning the lottery, but if you want to daydream about growing a luxurious furry tail or creating a pair of time-travelling welly boots, literally no one will stop you.
Listen up. Put on your favourite music track and spend between three and five minutes listening to it. (Do avoid Earthena’s Symphony of the Crown though, it weighs in at 48 hours and 39 minutes duration). And crank up the volume – loud music is better as details become easier to hear, making the music sound better. Our favourite music triggers dopamine, our feel-good hormone, meaning you will return to your work energised and happy.
Hang out with your fluffy pal. No, not one of your over-hirsute friends, but a pet. Research quoted by psychnet.apa.org shows that spending time with a pet substantially boosts wellbeing, which is linked with better working performance. So grab that gerbil and give it a try.
Recharge. Stand up and have a healthy snack (even better, have a satsuma then create something out of the peel), or lie down for a power nap. Both will recharge your batteries and give you renewed motivation.
Learn something new. Getting your brain into a learning state will do wonders for your minds et when you return your growth actions, plus the new ideas you learn about will cross-pollinate into your business giving you a more creative approach. So watch that Ted talk, download that webinar or listen to bursts of that podcast to teach your brain a thing or two.
Laugh? I nearly pi…cked a funny clip to watch or listen to, laughed like no one was watching (because they weren’t) and returned to working on my business feeling full of energy and ideas.
There you go. Who knew that ‘taking a break’ could be put firmly in the business strategy column of your business activity? Working on your business ideas and growth actions without a break is bad for business: fact. So enjoy planning some creative breaks. Oh, can somebody take that hamster off the wheel? Its looking a little worse for wear…
You can also get your hands on Getting Your Growth Actions done by heading over to the Tool Shed – this useful tool full of practical ideas is in the Strategy section.