Management Tip of the Day: When Working Hard, Make Time for Rest

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile NOVEMBER 8, 2012 When Working Hard, Make Time for Rest When you're on a deadline or have a particularly thorny project in front of you, it can be tempting to try to power through for long periods of time. But your brain's ability to focus only lasts about 90 minutes before you need to take a break. If you ignore signs from your body that you need a rest — difficulty concentrating, physical restlessness, irritability — your productivity will wane. Instead, completely focus your energy in 90-minute cycles. Set an alarm, turn off your phone, close unnecessary windows on your computer, and put a sign on your office door. When the time is up, take a needed break, even if you're on a roll — go for a walk, take care of an easy task, read an article, etc. Once rested, get back into your focused state. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the Guide to Getting the Right Work Done. Buy the book and learn more about prioritizing your workload » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done HBR Press Book Is your workload slowing you – and your career – down? Learn how to get the right work done. Whether you're a new professional or an experienced one, this guide will help you prioritize and stay focused, work less but accomplish more and stop bad habits and develop good ones. Not only will you end each day knowing you made progress—your improved productivity will also set you apart from the pack. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Prepare to Answer Customers' Toughest Questions Make the Most of a Bad Job Get to Know Your Unknown Audience Toss the Old Rules for Selling Reward Yourself for Doing the Tasks You Hate Try Crowdsourcing Your Performance Reviews Make a Job Offer That They'll Accept Save Time by Saying No To Persuade a Listener, Establish Common Ground How to Cultivate Ethical Employees All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)