It doesn’t get any better than this
10 TIPS TO HELP YOU WORK
EVEN BETTER
I have a job that requires me to go from one place to the next which obviously also means it’s never boring. On days where I spend an entire day at the office and I’ve got a bunch of meetings planned, I have to send a ton of hard e-mails and have business propositions to make, then one day can feel like an entire week. And it’s boring. Luckily I came across a fun article written by Huffington Post about tricks that’ll keep you sharp and I’m in a generous mood so I’ve lined them up for you.
1. the smoking break
Well, technically not what Huffington Post calls it. They named it a ‘regular pause’ but it pretty much means the same thing. Researchers have discovered that you’ll be productive for 52 minutes straight if you take a 17 minute break. I personally don’t smoke but I’m sure checking out Net-A-Porter for 17 minutes counts too.
2. CITRUS
Well looks like that orange addiction is good for something. Citrus keeps you sharp and on your toes because it’s filled with vitamin C. So good ahead and eat some more. It won’t make you fat, but it will make you sharp.
3. watch animal videos
Great news for our entire staff, because apparently puppy videos work in your favor when it comes to concentration. Fall in love, laugh and back to work. Here are a few to check out. Everything to help you concentrate.
4. stare at your colleague
I’m not sure if this is exactly what they mean when they talk about the 20-20-20 method, but I’m down with the idea. Summed up, the 20-20-20 method means you can spend 20 minutes staring at an object (that good looking coworker for example or that pretty Céline trio bag) which is about 20 meters away from you. And then for 20 seconds.
5. afternoon meeting
I’ve got both good and bad news. Apparently Tuesday’s are the best days to plan in meetings. According to researchers. But Tuesday’s are also the most boring day of the week. The good news is that if you have a meeting on a Tuesday, you’ll obtain positive results, especially if you plan it at 15:00. That will give you plenty of time to work beforehand and already start planning the things you discussed during the meeting right after.
6. plan meetings on the go, outside
Strolling for twenty minutes each day is good for your creativity (and for your body but that’s a different story). Something new that’s come forth in the working world: meeting walks. No laptops in sight but discussing new strategies while strolling around. Try it out and see how out of the box you can get.
7. breathe in, breathe out
I strongly believe that this is the reason people love smoking so much. Do this a few times a day of a minute or five (or however long it takes to smoke a cigarette). Breathe in, breathe out. Bye stress.
8. No push notifications
I’ve mentioned it before but I’m guilty of not having turned this off yet myself either. Friend requests on Facebook, receiving e-mails or whatsapp messages. When you’re working on a strategic document you’ve been struggling with, it’s way too tempting to check out your messages…
9. POWER nap
It’s some sort of miracle that people work with the 17 minute break or the 20-20-20 rule because Huffington Post has still added the good old power nap to the list.
10. don’t take your work home
Not too long ago people only checked their mail when they were at work. I would always come in an hour earlier on Monday’s to go through my weekend mail. But since we can’t imagine life without smart phones nowadays, you’re available 24/7, 7 days a week. You might want to consider not putting your work mail on your phone. That way it will be much easier not to take work home with you and you can watch Downtown Abbey in peace.
