Focus Faster By Preparing Your Next Task Before Taking A Break

Avoid losing steam and wasting time getting back into your workflow with this simple trick.

Photo by Brittany Culver.

Never take a break immediately after finishing a task. When you throw down your materials, close your applications or otherwise shutter your work and then bolt off to take your break you’re not setting yourself up to easily slip back into your workflow. Glen, from the productivity blog LifeDev, explains:

As I finished up my previous task and prepared for a break, I logged into the Wordpress and pulled up the “Write” page. That way, when I came back from the computer, I knew the first thing that had to be done was to write this post. Aside from saving a little time, this trick allows me to go straight to the next task, without dawdling by way of email, YouTube, etc. Just straight-up productivity, baby. Also, if you set up what needs to be done before the break, you can marinate the tasks in your mind at your leisure. You’re working subconsciously while taking a break.

While you may prefer to spend your breaks thinking about anything but work, you’ll at least return to a work station prepped for the next task and ready to ease you back into a productive workflow. If you have any tricks of your own for making breaks refreshing and your return to work productive, let’s hear them in the comments below.

Prepare for Your Next Task Before you Take a Break [LifeDev]