Planning Your Breaks Can Boost Business Success
I used to think that more input meant more output. But the hard truth is more input doesn’t equal more quality output.
Me as a 29-year-old Entrepreneur
After I gave birth to our first child, in 2013, within 10-days I was hosting an event. Heck, within 2-hours of waking up after giving birth, I was talking to my agent about upcoming projects. I was scared to miss an opportunity, scared I’d be forgotten.
Once home, I didn’t nap, and hardly slept at night.
This went on for weeks, until I began to lose cognitive and verbal skills and was diagnosed with Sleep Deprivation.
Today as a 39-year-old Entrepreneur
I’m writing this as a 39-year-old mompreneur of two, with another baby on the way this fall. My business is making more now than ever before. My brand has more recognition. My brain and body – as do everyone’s on TeamHLAM – get the rest and respect they need.
Planning for your Pauses is the trick. That’s it. I plan my breaks, like I plan my marketing calls.
Taking mini breaks during the day ensures you stay focused on your goals!
Daily Breaks for a Mom Entrepreneur
Need a reason to take a 10-minute break – or three – during the day?
A study published in 2011 suggests that as we burn out, we have a greater tendency to get lost in the weeds. In essence, we lose focus on what our core goal was for the day. Sporadic breaks, however, help with goal reactivation.
Aside from taking a faux commute, make sure to take a proper lunch – all the better if it’s outside. You’ll benefit from a brain break and come back to laptop with new-found energy.
If you need reminders, set an alarm on your phone or laptop and, again, make sure breaks don’t include work-related calls.
Monthly Breaks for a Mom Entrepreneur
Within the Edit to Expand Planner, each quarter kicks off with a space for you to jot down a “Creativity Day” (day to relocate and work from fresh space) and a “Power of the Pause” day.
Once a month, commit to a day that stimulates your mind. I find that if you commit to this day at the start of the quarter or at least at the start of each month, you’ll honor it much like you would a valuable doctor’s appointment.
Mine is often a monthly facial, followed by lunch with my sister, a walk in Manhattan and sometimes late afternoon tea with a work friend. Do I check email on the commute home? Sometimes. But, I’m already in a much better space than I was 24-hours ago.
Longer Power of the Pause for a Mom Entrepreneurs
Whether it’s a month off or a week, taking a vacation – even in your home town - has proven to boost your capacity for learning. Neuroscience shows what you already know: “aha” breakthroughs come when you in a relaxed state of mind.
This summer, I couldn’t get on a plain, so I explored locally – taking time to visit museums, unique concert venues and parks in Westchester.
None of these breaks are possible without planning.
Entrepreneurs Need to Plan for Breaks
If you want to avoid burnout, creativity fatigue, and actually boost your business success, you need to plan for breaks.
Take 1-3 mini daily breaks
Plan a 1-day Monthly Break
Schedule your big Power of the Pause vacation at the start of the year
If you want more support, check out intimate and impactful 12-month coaching program HLAM Inner Circle.