T I M E M A N A G E M E N T
more you suffer and the less efficient you become—not just in
your work but in every aspect of life.
Call a Time Out
If you wait for life to ease up and for the bad surprises to stop com-
ing, you may wait too long. You have to call an end to the rally and
start working at a more normal pace, for yourself, your loved ones,
and your colleagues. But the more you worry about relaxing, the
more tense you become. What now?
You need to learn how to slow down the pace, to normalize
your efforts so they’re consistent and effective rather than endur-
ing a daily train wreck. By relaxing mind and body four or five
times a day, you can achieve the control you need to reduce stress
and be more productive.
Taking Mini-Vacations Every Day
Take your break before you need it. Don’t wait to be exhausted, and
don’t wait to be stuck. Break your momentum—and the buildup of
stress and fatigue—with a sanity break in the midst of the chaos.
Make the break a good habit, three or four times a day.
Here are six simple break activities (and an advanced technique
for you fast learners). After you read them, jot down three or four
more of your own.
Seven Ways to Go on Vacation Without Leaving Your Desk
1. the Breath Break
Here’s the simplest, cheapest vacation you’ll ever take. For
two minutes, just breathe. Take air way down into your belly. You