Own up if you've skipped lunch over the last week or two because of some 'deadline'? I reckon I know many people who regularly skip their lunch breaks. Do you know what happened to these people? They're tired/burning out, or having health issues.
No joke, if you don't take a break, you're not doing yourself any favours. You're doing more harm than good.
Imagine The Following
Emma worked in a team of 10 people at a large financial services firm and was considered one of the team until Sarah, the Manager, left. Since she was one of the most experienced staff members on the team, she was appointed the manager. The new role brought new responsibilities and 'headaches' in the form of her team members.
Before becoming the department head, she would take regular breaks and go out for lunch. However, that all changed as the paperwork started piling up. Emma also spent more time in her office and often closed her office door more often than Sarah did, which created a psychological divide. Within a short time, the team also noticed a change in her behaviour. Before becoming a manager, she was friendly, approachable and easy to get on with.
It seemed to be a precedence in the department; the previous boss, Sarah, was no better. She was a workaholic and even worked through some weekends depending on the deal that the team were working on. She skipped lunch more or less every day and would grab something from the restaurant downstairs. Her diet wasn't healthy. Her favourite snack was chocolate.
However, Sarah had excellent people skills and created a fun working environment when she was in the mood. Other times, it was heads down, so get on with it. The team didn't grumble because they knew she had some personal issues.
Both managers would find themselves repeatedly firefighting on business issues, leaving little time for creative thinking. Interestingly, Sarah encouraged the team to take a break, but she didn't listen to her advice. Emma, on the other hand, was hands-off regarding what people did with their break time.
Thankfully, the team didn't take a leaf out of Emma or Sarah's book because they would have burned out due to the nature of the business.
What happened to Sarah and Emma? Stay tuned…
The Downside of Not Taking Breaks
- Burnout over time
- Not enough time for self-care
- Not letting the brain pause and reflect
- Sleeping problems
- Health issues
- Lower resistance levels
- Mood issues
- Stress
- Not thinking 'outside of the box'
- Mental Health
- Personal relationships are impacted by second-hand stress
- Not enjoying the moment
- Not planning sufficiently ahead
- Not feeling 100% on top of your game
I believe there's always a solution, no matter how busy one can be. It's about being smart with your time. How? Apply the 85% Rule.
Apply The 85% Rule
Athletes know the secret formula, which is the 85% rule. What does this mean? It means paving yourself like a marathon runner. They've identified 85% effort as the 'sweet spot' — the optimal level. This level of effort provides room for growth, consistency, and longevity in their athletic journey.
Operating at 85% effort allows athletes to balance pushing their limits and preserving their physical and mental reserves. It respects the need to recover and adapt whilst sustaining a quest for success. Subsequently, athletes avoid the pitfalls of overtraining, injury, and burnout.
The Employee
You might say that applies to an athlete, but how does this play out in the workplace? It's not about juggling multiple tasks but choosing your effort levels based on importance. It's about reaching the finish line and consistently moving forward with resilience and wisdom. This way, we can sustain ourselves without the risk of burnout, which is real if no checks are in place.
Make Time Work For You
Make time work for you instead of running after it. It pays to add more buffer time to your work schedule so you're not spinning multiple 'plates simultaneously. I know many people who do, and they feel guilty for not taking regular breaks.
Remember, the onus is on you because no one will figure this out. Only you know yourself better than anyone else. However, striking a better work/life balance pays handsome rewards in the short and long term.
Parting Comments
Emma still works as the Director of the Business Department. She has improved at taking breaks because of the intense pressure of working in a financial services company. Sadly, five years after Sarah left, she passed away from health complications on an international business trip.
Could things have been different if Sarah had taken better care of her health by taking regular breaks? Who knows, but her example reminds others, especially those who think nothing of skipping their breaks regularly.
Don't get me wrong, skipping breaks occasionally won't land you in any hot, healthy water, but do it often, and you could pay a heavy price for physical and mental well-being.
Thank you for your attention.
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