When you think about managing your time, how often is it about being more productive, reaching those big goals, or getting more items crossed off your to-do list today? You wonder how other people get so much done. You’re frustrated that you’re constantly working, yet your lists and goals feel hard to finish or even to start.

After all, there are only 24 hours in a day. For most of us, at least six to eight of those hours are devoted to sleep. Subtract time for eating, transitions, bio breaks, managing distractions, and handling the unexpected, and your available time to get things done is significantly reduced.

I remember my mom used to get annoyed about having to sleep. She would say, “We sleep a third of our lives away. Sleeping is a waste of time.” I never bought into the idea that sleep was a waste. Instead, I saw her words as reflecting her intense need to make the most of every moment.

I’m all for making the most of the time I have. Time is finite and a precious resource. However, one of the best ways to manage your time better is to take intentional breaks. Sleep is one aspect, but taking breaks while awake is just as essential.

What Types of Breaks Will Help You Be a Better Time Manager?

I know I’m stating the obvious, but you need energy and focus to get things done. Working longer or beyond capacity doesn’t help. You’ve probably reached the point of diminishing returns. You know those nights. You’re exhausted, pushing to finish that spreadsheet, dealing with a sink full of dishes, packing for a trip, or writing one more email response.

However, understanding the benefits of taking breaks and integrating them into your life will help.

It’s more than ‘will help.’ Taking breaks is essential not only for energy, focus, and getting things done but also for your overall well-being. Life isn’t only about doing more. It’s about stepping away for short, medium, or longer breaks.

What can these mid-size breaks look like? Let’s review some options to help you better manage your time. These pauses are about giving you time to recover so you can return to ‘the work’ refreshed, recharged, and energized.

1. Short Breaks

You might be thinking, “I’m so busy that I barely have time for a bio break, let alone any other break.” Believe me, I get it. You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life.

However, it is possible to integrate several short breaks into your day. If “short” feels too long, reframe it as a micro-break.

These tiny resets can be taken a few times a day and may include:

• Close your eyes and take several slow breaths in and out.

• Stand up and shake out your body.

• Send a quick email or text to someone you love.

• Enjoy a few leisurely sips of coffee or iced tea.

• Eat a snack.

• Doodle on a sheet of paper.

• Go outside for fresh air.

• Take a walk around the office or the block.

• Roll your shoulders forward and backward.

• Dance or sing loudly to a favorite song.

• Take a few deep, loud sighs.

• Splash cold water on your face.

• Sit and do nothing for a few minutes.

• Meditate for 1 to 5 minutes. Insight Timer offers many excellent options.

What else could work well for your micro-break?

“Life isn’t only about doing more.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

2. Medium Breaks

Those mini breaks are wonderful, but at times you will benefit from something longer. If you can carve out more than 5 minutes, a medium break is beneficial. While micro-breaks can be impromptu, a medium break might require some advance planning.

Here are some recharge ideas for breaks ranging from 20 minutes to several hours:

• Take a 20-minute nap.

• Go to the movies.

• Take a walk in nature.

• Meet a friend for lunch.

• Explore a museum, garden, or town.

• Get a massage.

• Meditate for 30 minutes.

• Write in your journal.

• Call a loved one.

• Go to the pool or the beach.

• Read a book (or a portion of one).

• Spend time in a hammock.

• Go for a bike ride.

• Make something with your hands.

• Daydream.

• Take a yoga class.

What other types of medium breaks could benefit you?

3. Long Breaks

Full disclosure here. Today I took a micro break (meditated) and a medium break (walked by the river). I also just returned from a long break, a family vacation in the Finger Lakes. I have to say, as much as I need my shorter breaks regularly, the extended ones are just as vital. They can be more challenging to take because of the expense or limited time.

Yet, going somewhere for several days (if possible) and stepping away from your regular routines and responsibilities is one of the best ways to recharge. You will return refreshed, more focused, and ready to re-engage with your projects and lists.

It also gives you time to float, think, catch up on sleep, connect with family and friends, or simply do nothing. But a long break doesn’t have to mean only getting away.

Here are some long-break ideas when you have more than 24 hours:

• Take a staycation and stick to fun or relaxing activities.

• Take a personal retreat focused on rest and reflection.

• Unplug for several days.

• Learn a new skill just for fun.

• Create a home retreat with no obligations, errands, or projects.

• Go away for the weekend, or extend it to a long weekend.

• Vacation somewhere you have to fly to.

• Travel to somewhere on your bucket list.

• Check into a spa or wellness retreat.

• Go camping or glamping.

• Vacation somewhere reachable by car.

• Take a biking, kayaking, or boating trip.

• Spend an extended visit with loved ones.

What have you enjoyed most during your long breaks?

Are You Ready to Give Yourself the Breaks You Deserve?

Busy is how many of you describe your lives. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a full life. But make sure you also take a variety of intentional breaks. Breaks are the yin to your ‘busy’ yang.

Do you take regular breaks? What types do you take? Would you benefit from adding more pauses to your life? How would taking more breaks help you manage your time better? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, and have difficulty managing your time? I’m here to help! You don’t have to do this alone. Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact Form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Managing your time, getting organized, and living with more ease are possible, especially with support.

When we prepare for the next step, whether it’s small or big, it’s more likely that we’ll move forward successfully. Getting ready looks different for each of us.

I was curious about my colleagues’ experiences, so I reached out to this wonderful group – Valentina Sgro, Cameron Gott, Anne Blumer, Seana Turner, Janet Barclay, and Sue West.

I asked them, “How do you prepare for next?” Their responses are diverse and inspiring. My deepest gratitude goes to each of them for sharing their wisdom with us.

How do you prepare for next? . . .

Daydream

“Daydreaming is my key element when 'preparing for next.' Some might use the word ‘visioning,’ but that doesn’t quite capture it for me. I don’t like surprises; I like a lot of lead time. That allows me to do a lot of daydreaming, playing out in my mind the different ways the ‘next’ thing can look or be. Sure those thoughts lead to some solid information-gathering to form a plan of action, but it’s the creation of alternate scenarios in my mind that guide me to the path I want to take. Maybe that’s why I’ve become a novelist.”

Valentina Sgro – Author of Patience Oaktree, organizing novels and short stories

Practice

“I’m relatively new to the game of ‘prepare for next’ since most of my years I was a card-carrying member of the ‘back into next’ club. As a decent responder, I’d react and respond my way into what was next - school, relationships, and professions.  I’d let my positive and negative emotions dictate my next move. I would often overextend myself. Now I practice a more proactive stance and embrace preparation as an absolute for what is next.”

Cameron Gott, PCC – Mentor Coach, ADHD Coaching for Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Celebrate

“As I ponder on the question, ‘How do you prepare for next?’ my mind immediately jumps to, how will I prepare for the next chapter in my life? In one year, my son and daughter will both graduate from college. We recently lost one family pet, and now our golden retriever has days, maybe weeks, to live. I find the next chapter is preparing myself for a very, very empty nest. To prepare, I¹m going to celebrate with my children their achievements and their next chapter. And, I will make a book of memories of our family pets to commemorate them. In short to prepare for next, I celebrate and commemorate.”

Anne Blumer, CPO® – Professional Organizer, Author & Blogger

Imagine

“The tricky thing about ‘next’ is that it’s shrouded in uncertainty. This can be intimidating, because it feels a bit out of control. For me, preparing for what’s next includes spending time considering various scenarios, and how I would like to respond. We never know what is behind the next door, but we can put some structure around how we will open the door, the way we will take our first steps, who we might walk with, and what will bring along. It’s also helpful to minimize daily, ambient chaos to free up the energy we need to tackle something new.”

Seana Turner – Professional Organizer, Blogger & Life Coach

Generate

“I can become overwhelmed by new projects or big changes in my life or my business, but making a list of every task that has to be completed helps me to stay in control. Instead of waiting until I have a huge chunk of available time to focus on the project, I can delegate some tasks and chip away at others as my schedule allows and get to the next step without having to neglect other personal and professional commitments.”

Janet Barclay, MVA – Web Designer, Virtual Assistant & Blogger

Visualize and Verbalize

“If I cannot visualize myself in a new situation or mindset, that’s my clue that I have more to prepare. It could be that I have not internalized the new situation and its impact or the presentation’s content, the project’s steps, or the client’s particulars. Project management and coaching also teach us that we cannot control every reaction, detail, or situation. Bigger risks I process aloud with a trusted individual. Lesser risks, I use self-talk, a voice recorder, or mind mapping. All are ways to get everything out of my head, see the full picture and create space to think, prepare and question.”

Susan Fay West, COC®, CPO-CD®– Certified Organizing Coach, ADHD Coach & Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization

What great tips my colleagues shared about preparing for next. Several ideas center on having ponder time. Other ideas include celebrating, making lists, and talking out loud. For me, next often begins with thinking, writing, or conversing. Which ideas resonate with you? How do you prepare for next? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!