Chinese gardensWhen should you take a break from work? Most people assume weekends and evenings are the best time to take time off, but I’m not convinced. I’d like to suggest that everyone is different, and that’s O.K. Actually, it’s more than O.K.

My son’s schedule is such that he has Sundays and Thursdays off which means that if I want to spend time with him, I take half a day on Thursday, and we hang out. A couple of weeks ago we spent several hours exploring the tranquility of the Chinese Garden, eating ramen and visiting kitties at LexiDog before stopping for ice cream. During our leisurely wanderings we happened upon a tribute to Robin Williams which inspired us both.

My point is you have to take the time when it presents itself. The “off” times are also often the least busy. It’s like grocery shopping on a Wednesday morning instead of a Saturday. Right?

There’s also something to be said for a person’s own preferences. Some of us are night owls; others thrive when we accomplish the bulk of our work before 10:00 a.m. Don’t fight it. Work with your natural proclivities instead of against them. It’s called flow.

I’m much more productive when I’m working in a state of flow. Ideas come easily. I process and make connections quickly. I get much more accomplished when I work steadily on a project every day, a bit at a time, than if I slam it out when faced with a short deadline. Bonus: the outcome is a superior project.

What works best for you?

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