Using Breaks Wisely to Stay Productive at Home

The most underrated productivity hack? Taking breaks. But not just any break. Science says there’s a right way to do it. Here’s how to restore your energy (and do better work) in 5 proven steps: Rule 1: Something > nothing Even short breaks matter. Try the 20-20-20 rule: → Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You’ll reduce fatigue and give your brain a much-needed pause. Micro-breaks add up. Rule 2: Moving > stationary A walk beats a sit. Movement restores energy and improves mood. Just getting up and walking a few minutes can refresh your mind for your next task. Rule 3: Social > solo Breaks with people restore us more than breaks alone even if you’re introverted. Chat with a colleague. Call a friend. Grab coffee with someone you like. Connection is a powerful recharge. Rule 4: Outside > inside Nature boosts energy and creativity. You don’t need to hike a mountain just walk down a street with trees. Studies show even light exposure to green space can reduce stress and elevate performance. Rule 5: Detached > distracted A break isn’t scrolling Instagram. Leave your phone behind. Log off. Step away. Real breaks require real detachment. Let your brain breathe. Try this break formula: Every afternoon, take a 15-minute walk outside With someone you like Talking about anything except work Without your phone Do it daily. Schedule it like a meeting.

I don’t get my best ideas in forced ideation meetings. I get them during my 45-minute disconnect sessions. Most people think innovation comes from working non-stop. But real breakthroughs don't come from grinding harder - they come when you step away from: - Work - Screens - Constant hustle Research from UC Berkeley shows a striking finding: taking regular breaks from technology boosts creativity by 60%. Bill Gates does this through an annual think week - where he lives in an off-grid cabin in the woods just to disconnect and think. But that’s not an option for you and me, so here are my easier alternatives that consistently lead to breakthrough ideas: 1. Tech-free nature walks ↳ Nature walks without my phone force me to notice things I'd usually miss. The fresh air clears mental clutter, and new environments spark unexpected connections. ↳ Moving outdoors boosts my energy, making me feel more refreshed and open to new ideas. 2. Doodling and mind mapping ↳ It allows me to visually explore ideas and connect dots I'd normally overlook. ↳ The freeform process helps me think without constraints while giving my brain a productive break. 3. Zero-pressure brainstorming ↳ I ask “What if?” questions when there’s no need to do so, and welcome every idea without any judgment. ↳ It leads to bold, unexpected solutions because no idea is off-limits. ↳ By exploring all possibilities, I find more innovative answers. Following this routine fuels the kind of creativity that sets you apart. This intentional disconnection creates space for breakthrough ideas that others miss while stuck in their daily grind. What's your favorite way to disconnect? Has it ever led to an unexpected breakthrough? #breaksessions #productivityhack #personalgrowth

Working less makes you more successful. Burnout is not a business plan. Hard to hear, but harder to ignore. During my last startup, I hit rock bottom. 18 hour days. Constant stress. Total burnout. For what? Revenue flatlined. My health collapsed. I nearly lost my marriage and I pissed off Investors. Then I discovered a really obvious truth: Strategic rest isn't a luxury. It's your secret weapon. Work fewer hours, close bigger deals. Fact. When I cut my hours by 20% and added intentional breaks: • Creative solutions I couldn't see before suddenly became obvious • Decision quality improved dramatically • Revenue grew faster than during my burnout phase A 2019 Microsoft Japan experiment proved it: They tried a 4-day workweek and saw productivity jump 40%. Here's what actually works: 1. Use the 52/17 Rule -52 minutes of focused work. 17 minutes completely off. -Your brain naturally works in cycles of focus and recovery. 2. Take a real lunch break -Not at your desk. Not scrolling emails. -One of my peers added 30 minutes of complete disconnect daily. -Her team's output jumped 24%. 3. Schedule deep recovery -Block one 2-hour window weekly for pure thinking. -No screens. Just you and big questions. 4. The power pause -Before every major decision, take a 24-hour cooling period. -This single habit saved me from three potentially catastrophic choices this year. 5. One complete day off -Your brain solves problems in the background. -Give it the space to work. I now get more done in 40 hours than I used to in 80. Not because I found a productivity hack. Because I respect my brain's limits. What's one way you'll build strategic rest into your week? ♻️ Repost to save someone from burnout. 🔔 Follow me (Charlie Lass) for more counterintuitive truths about success.

How I get more sh*t done before you have your AM coffee It's not working longer hours. It's brain science. People ask how I maintain such high output While staying calm. The secret? I sync my work to my brain's natural peaks. Science says the 52/17 rule is golden for peak performance. Your brain needs strategic breaks to maintain high output. To ensure those cognitive circuits... Are firing like a Formula 1 engine... You need to work with your natural rhythm. Here's how to hack your 12 peak performance windows: 1/ Morning Power Hour ↳ Cortisol peaks an hour after waking ↳ Schedule your hardest task then 2/ Attention Architecture ↳ The brain processes complex data better before noon ↳ Front-load strategic work before lunch 3/ Energy Management ↳ ATP (brain fuel) peaks in 52-minute cycles ↳ Use a timer for focused sprints 4/ Decision Windows ↳ Decision fatigue sets in after 3-4 hours ↳ Make key choices before 11am 5/ Creative Peaks ↳ Alpha brain waves surge during breaks ↳ Take 17-minute recharge periods 6/ Memory Optimization ↳ Information retention peaks in the morning (for me) ↳ Schedule learning during this window 7/ Communication Sweet Spots ↳ Social processing peaks mid-morning ↳ Book important meetings 10-11am 8/ Focus Enhancement ↳ Deep work capacity maxes at 4 hours daily ↳ Split into 2 x 2-hour blocks 9/ Recovery Rhythms ↳ The 2:55pm slump is biological ↳ Schedule light tasks for this time 10/ Evening Clarity ↳ Beta waves increase around 4-6pm ↳ Use this time for planning 11/ Temperature Timing ↳ Brain temp peaks impact cognitive performance ↳ Match complex work to your body temp peak 12/ Sleep Alignment ↳ REM sleep preps the brain for peak hours ↳ Protect your last 3 pre-sleep hours Remember: Your brain needs consistent timing. Small adjustments to your schedule Create massive performance gains. Which one will you try first? ------------------------------------------------- ♻️ Share to help others upgrade their performance ➕ Follow Shannon for science-backed productivity tips