Have you ever found yourself staring at your transaction files and realized your mind is somewhere else? Do you find yourself reading the same document repeatedly and still not comprehending it? When you find that your focus is dwindling or nonexistent, this is an excellent time to take a break. Unfortunately, most real estate professionals seldom take real breaks from the business. The result is fatigue, exhaustion, reduced performance, and often illness. If you're ready to increase your effectiveness, make more money, and have increased energy, taking well-timed breaks just may be the perfect solution.

Research shows that humans have limited attention spans and that periodic breaks are necessary to operate at peak performance. In fact, even at peak attention, your concentration only lasts a few seconds before your brain shifts to another thought. Consequently, "peak attention" is characterized by the percentage of time you spend focused on the task at hand as opposed to the length of time. You can increase this percentage by taking well-timed breaks that allow you to keep the percentage as high as possible.

What does “taking a break" mean to you? Webster defines “break” as "interrupting one’s activities or occupation for a brief period (i.e. break for lunch).” Take the next couple of moments to jot write down how you currently define and take breaks. Next, ask yourself: "Do I feel energized after taking my break or do I feel more drained?" If you're "fresh" and "ready to roll," you've had a successful break. If not, you may need to consider taking a different type of break. If you would like to take more refreshing and rewarding breaks while also boosting your effectiveness, consider trying one of the strategies below to keep your energy and productivity high.

• Change locations and activity.

  One of the best ways to “take a break” is to change your physical location in conjunction with a major change in the type of activity. For example, if you've been sitting at the computer, get out of the office and take a walk. If you've been knocking on doors, reward yourself with a ice cold treat you enjoy indoors. The goal is to change both the nature, as well as the location, of your "break" activity.

• Don't confuse diversions with breaks.

  For example, if you've working on the computer and you "break" by playing computer games, you've only created a diversion, not a true break. Getting up from your desk to shoot the breeze with other agents in the office does not constitute a break. Instead, you're merely substituting one activity for another. Remember, a "break" requires both a change of location and activity. This shift is what helps to maximize your productivity and focus.

• Break for a brief period.

  Breaks are for a brief period. In contrast, diversions can actually pull you off track by becoming an extended activity. For example, if you "take a break" by exercising, you have a break if it's a brief activity. In contrast, when the "break" requires more time than the original project, then it's no longer a break, but a primary activity. This is especially true when physical exercise, alcohol, or other recreational activities diminish productivity.

• Create a supportive environment.

  Many agents take their files home to work on in front of the television or even in their bedrooms. By bringing your work into your break areas, you reduce your work effectiveness as well as your break effectiveness. Instead, designate a specific area where you work. Avoid doing any other type of activity in this area. By the same token, if you want to maintain peak performance, keep your break areas separate from your work area. And, unless you want an on-going case of insomnia, avoid paying bills or doing any other type of work in your bedroom.

• Program periodic breaks into your schedule. Pencil breaks into your appointment book, and keep these as you would any important appointment. While it is tempting to book over this time to work with clients, important appointments, etc., do not fall into this trap. Planning your beaks in advance helps you to create a rhythm and balance to your schedule.

• Eliminate or limit caffeine.

  Caffeine may be useful when used in small quantities on an irregular basis. Like any other drug, however, your body builds up a tolerance to caffeine and then you need more and more. In larger doses, caffeine can dramatically inhibit one’s ability to focus at all.

• Break before you need one.

  Waiting too long to break can allow you to get a second wind and keep right on going until you’ve just completely run out of energy. A lengthy recovery time is generally required. No individual or team can run hot all the time. Carefully managing your energy will help you to retain your creativity and humor during a project.

• Move your body.

  Going from your computer to sitting in front of the TV is not a break – it’s simply a change of location. When we sit and focus for any length of time, blood begins to settle in parts of our body. Exercise promotes the flow of blood in your body and brings oxygen to your brain - this helps increase your ability to think clearly. Take a walk or stretch for 10 minutes and then go back to your desk. Get outside for sunshine, rain or fresh air. Stepping outside to feel the sun or rain on your face is a great way to relax your mind and clear your thoughts.

No matter how you choose to take your breaks, the goal is to take a long enough break to become energized, yet not enough to dampen your motivation for completing your commitments. In fact, how about taking a break right now?

Published: May 10, 2001

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Bernice L. Ross, Ph.D. operates RealEstateCoach.com, with her husband and co-trainer, Bryon Van Arsdale. A Professor of Psychology at Los Angeles Pierce College, Bernice also is a faculty member at Coach University and holds the designation of Master Certified Coach. She served as Executive Director of Training from 1993-1997 for Prudential Jon Douglas Company, and also pioneered the first real estate/coaching teleclasses for Continuing Education credit in California. E-mail Bernice at bernice@realestatecoach.com.