You’ve been hammering your head against the same problem at your job all day long. Yet the more you think about the conundrum, the more blocked you feel in figuring out the missing links. It’s time to take a break — and maybe to get bored for a while.
Although it may feel counterintuitive to step away from a project or steal a quiet moment when you need to get something done, consider that research has shown the value of taking a “timeout” from your mental tasks. In fact, if you want to come up with more creative solutions to work-related challenges, pulling the plug on relentless thought about it, or even giving your mind free reign without any outside activity, might be just what you need to experience a breakthrough.
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Consider a study written about in Harvard Business Review, in which people were given two problems to solve. The study found that those who switched back and forth between working on each challenge at fixed intervals (meaning the time to shift gears was defined in advance) were better able to solve both problems than those who made their own decision about when to move from one problem to the next. The researchers concluded that when left to our own devices, we often don’t realize that taking a break from a task can help us brainstorm better solutions — and that putting the problem down at regular, defined intervals can help us make more creative progress toward our goals.
This suggests that by making a ritual of short, intentional breaks during your workday, you can tap into your best thinking. What type of brain break, though, is most effective in fueling creative insights? Another study suggests that not all breaks are created equal, and that it makes a big difference what you do — or more accurately, don’t do — during your time away from problem-solving. Psychologists found that when people were given boring tasks to accomplish, it resulted in them coming up with more creative ideas than those who weren’t bored. The message? It might not be the best idea to fill all of your downtime — whether during your commute or between projects — with smartphone surfing and other types of noise.
“The enormous value of taking quiet time for a work break is the removal of all your usual daily noise, distractions, tasks and responsibilities,” says Katherine Davies, CEO and founder of the nonprofit giving service iguacu. “You give yourself the chance to unwind, rest and create space to think of creative ideas in a quieter mind. It’s a great opportunity to bring clarity to an idea, and deep thought as to how to best bring it into the world.”
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Here are three strategies to make planned quiet work breaks of various lengths a reality:
Silent break. Knowing that quieting your mind can help you think better, it’s a smart best practice to regularly schedule a few minutes of quiet time throughout your workday. No matter how busy you are, your thinking power can benefit from taking a pause from it all, even if briefly. This can be as simple as shutting off your computer for five minutes and doing some deep breathing at your desk, or going into an empty conference room to close your eyes and regroup without the distractions of your computer and phone. The key, though, is trying whenever possible to make this a regular habit, rather than randomly deciding when to take a silent break. Mark a few times on your daily calendar that indicate when you plan to give yourself three to five minutes of peace, and then stick to it whenever possible.
Walking break. If you have slightly more time to step out of your office (such as an hour for lunch), consider using the gap for a quiet stroll. The good thing about using lunchtime for this type of intermission is that it’s already a regularly scheduled event in most workplaces — if you can make the time to take it. Though socializing and networking while you eat with others is one good use of this hour, perhaps you can choose a few days a week to devote to a silent experience of walking on your own. Remind yourself that even if you start to feel bored with the practice, that feeling just might spark creativity upon your return.
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Retreat. In some job situations, you may be able to use vacation time or personal days to buy more time for a quiet recess. Davies explains that going on a retreat with the ideas for her company in mind was one of the most important decisions she ever made, and was the turning point in making the company a reality. By experiencing rest, calm and quiet natural surroundings on retreat, she was able to develop the company’s foundational ideals. “The company’s principles were born in the middle of silent meals, walking meditations, feeding the chickens, pulling straw, sitting still under a blanket of stars and in a barn overlooking a river,” recalls Davies. “I was able to think deeply, without having to worry about anything else.” She emphasizes the importance of choosing a retreat setting that does not mandate a daily series of lectures or teachings, but instead allows ample time for solo decompression in peaceful surroundings, without any noise, messaging or outside influences. “Consider leaving your phone and computer at the door if it isn’t already required,” advises Davies. “The fewer distractions, the more room your brain has to fully bake your ideas and fuel creative thought.”
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How Short Breaks and Quiet Time Can Fuel Creativity at Work originally appeared on usnews.com
