During these final two weeks of the year, your business is either winding down with year-end reporting and budgeting, or gearing up for new product launches and planning for the new year.
More likely, you are doing both!
In addition, your staff is distracted by seasonal and personal festivities. Somedays it is just hard to keep employees motivated.
But it’s all got to get done.
Now is not the time to work non-stop to the end.
Time for a new initiative!
Help yourself and your staff with a mandated time out several times a day.
Break it Down
A study conducted at the University of Illinois determined that even a brief diversion from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.
There are all sorts of theories about the timing of such breaks. There is the Pomodoro technique; setting a timer for a break every 25 minutes. Or the one of 52 minutes of work and then 17 minutes of getting up, stretching and doing something different.
That one could be a little tough if you think about the two plus hours a day of lost time. However, if the 52 minutes the employee spends is focused and very productive – in the end you will likely benefit.
Additional Benefits of Break Time
Getting away from the desk and standing is good for your health, as is chatting with a co-worker for a few minutes. It also creates a camaraderie and motivation among your workers.
We know of a local store that announces over the loudspeaker that it is ‘stretch’ time to a certain group of employees. They rotate different departments throughout the day, gather in one spot and do yoga stretches, jumping jacks or whatever the mojo of the day might be.
The break provides everyone the opportunity to take a breath, step back, maybe even smile!… and then return with a new incentive …. Getting to the next stretch time!
Surprise your staff with a gift of increased productivity through break times.
Share with them some of these philosophies and decide together which works best in your environment.
And then keep focused on getting to the end of the year!
For the new year, consider going one step further and encourage active rest days too! You may be surprised at how these days will keep your employees motivated!
Does your company encourage break times? Tell us how you motivate employees to get through stressful periods of the year.
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