Little Breaks Help Accelerate

The small breaks we take between work are valuable. They are so valuable that it might be confusing to think of them as a form of interruption, especially since they can accelerate our work when used correctly. Pauses, like the breaks between exercise sets, are key ingredients to help us get the job done. However, the pauses we take during knowledge work are different from simply catching our breath and waiting for our heart rate to drop.

I work in 25-minute chunks, known as pomodoro’s. he pauses are 5-minute breaks between these pomodoros: one pomodoro, one pause, one pomodoro, one pause. An easy rhythm.

Six useful things we can do during the 5 minutes:

1. Pat ourselves on the back. I often take for granted what I learn almost immediately, which is a bad habit I’ve been working to change. It’s beneficial to sum up what we’ve done or learned to consolidate our work and further understand it.
2. Identifying confusions. Write out and specify any confusions. These uncertainties can often linger subtly, much like elusive ghosts. While they may be hard to spot, they are usually easy to sense. It requires extra effort to articulate vague confusions. Was there an aspect of a definition that bothered us? Does an equation seem logical on the surface but falter in practicality?
3. Clean-up and tidy. Organize both your digital and physical environments. Rename any screenshots you’ve taken. Group items into folders. Dispose of unnecessary items. Clean up pencil shavings. Stack papers. These small actions help in resetting and focusing.
4. Get back on track when off-track. It’s common to get sidetracked or delve into tangential explorations. While these detours can be enlightening, it’s crucial to return to the main path. Recognize when you’ve strayed from your intended direction, and then consciously reorient yourself. Consider: What are we trying to accomplish? Has our objective shifted? Can we refine our target?
5. Specify desired outcomes (our goals). Plan the next steps and set objectives for the upcoming work segment. Being explicit about anticipated outcomes can expedite the work process. Think along the lines of, “I aim to grasp this algorithm” or “I intend to complete the first draft.” I view goals as comparable to pacers in a race: they lead the way, ensuring we maintain momentum and achieve our desired results.
6. Physically relax. Take deep breaths, stand up, and stretch. These simple actions are always beneficial.

Using these pauses allows us to work steadily for longer periods, maintaining controlled focus. Instead of managing a 5k, we can run a marathon.

When studying, ‘Identifying Confusions’ is essential. When on a deadline, ‘Getting Back on Track’ is crucial. And because I often take my work for granted, I always make a point to give myself a quick ‘Pat On the Back’ for whatever I’ve accomplished.

This habit of smartly utilizing pauses is akin to opening a window to let a fresh breeze into our minds.