Principle 45: Take a Break

The opposite of Type A

Some principles are more fun than others! Yet this is a principle that some people will have a hard time following. You know the type: driven, never stop, sleep-when-I’m-dead types. The types who become billionaires then wonder why they are not satisfied.

For the rest of us, this is an easy one to do:

That’s right, take a break now and then. We know this in many aspects of life instinctively:

• When we were toddlers, we took afternoon naps

• When we were teenagers, we took Algebra class naps (kidding—or am I?)

• When we got into the workforce, we took coffee breaks, and lunch breaks

• When we exercise, we vary the routine between strength and endurance, and take breaks in between

It’s normal to take a break because taking a break is how we recharge, both physically and mentally. Have you ever solved a problem when you stopped thinking about it, and next thing you know your subconscious mind solved it for you? Ever figured out a problem in the shower?

When we work too hard for too long, we get diminishing returns. A short break can recharge us and make us more productive.

So beware of the hard-driving types who seem to be constantly running from themselves. Instead be the type who gets in touch with your feelings, your thinking, your plans, your naps.

You’ll be smarter, stronger, more effective in the long run. Now take a break!