How do I make the most of my breaks?

What is the 3 3 3 rule for working?

The 3-3-3 rule for working, popularized by Oliver Burkeman, is a time management method that breaks your workday into three main blocks: three hours for deep focus on your most important project, followed by three hours for shorter, urgent tasks (like emails, calls), and ending with three hours on routine maintenance activities (admin, planning). This technique provides structure, prevents burnout by saving simple tasks for later, and ensures progress on major goals while staying on top of daily necessities, creating a balanced and productive day. 

Does a 9 to 5 job include lunch?

A 9-to-5 schedule typically means you're at work from 9 AM to 5 PM, but the lunch break (usually 30-60 mins) is generally unpaid and not counted in your 8 hours of work, meaning you're at the office for 9 hours total (e.g., 9-5:30) to get 8 hours of pay. While the "9 to 5" phrase implies being there all day, most U.S. full-time jobs don't pay for lunch, so you work 8 hours plus your break time unless your company explicitly offers paid lunches, which is less common. 

What is the 7 8 9 rule?

The 7-8-9 rule is a simple framework to help you balance your day. It suggests that you should set aside 7 hours each day for work or study and 8 hours for sleep, which leaves you with 9 hours of personal time.

What is the 2 minute trick?

“If an action will take less than two minutes, it should be done at the moment it's defined.” Simple, yet potent, this rule is a defense against procrastination and letting the small things in work and life add up.

Does pomodoro actually work for ADHD?

Yes, the Pomodoro Technique often works very well for ADHD because its structure of short work/break cycles aligns with ADHD brains, helping manage time blindness, reduce overwhelm, increase motivation, and improve focus by providing clear start/stop cues and manageable chunks of time, though it's often best to customize the intervals (e.g., shorter 10-15 min focus times). It leverages hyperfocus while preventing burnout and helps with executive function challenges like initiating tasks and staying on track. 

What do couples do during a break?

During a relationship break, both partners agree on clear boundaries and expectations. Unlike a breakup, the goal is not to end the relationship but to take some time apart to reflect and recharge. You will likely want to reduce or pause communication, and both parties should use the time to focus on individual growth.

Should I leave my desk during breaks?

It's Physically Healthier

You're more productive at work, studies have found, when you allow yourself to take a break from work. And, Savage said, studies have found that when people eat lunch at their desks – à la “sad desk lunch” – their desks have more bacteria.

How to take breaks with ADHD?

For students with ADHD, frequent short breaks are essential to maintain focus and productivity. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break.

Can relationships work after a break?

Moving Forward Together or Apart

Taking a break in a relationship can be either a healing pause that strengthens your bond or the first step toward a permanent separation – the outcome largely depends on how you approach it, how you communicate, and what you both do with the time apart.

How to stay under the radar at work?

Behave Professionally at Work

Dress the part and stay out of office gossip that might make others talk about you. Do the job you're paid to do and carry out the instructions of your superiors to the best of your ability. Avoid judging your colleagues or management. Show up to work on time and avoid missing deadlines.

How to mentally take a break?

Here are some quick, everyday strategies that will help reduce stress and improve our overall quality of life:

1. Take a walk. There's been a long-established link between physical activity and reduced stress. ...
2. Prepare a low-stress meal. ...
3. Practice Mindfulness. ...
4. Reach out to family or friends. ...
5. Take a tech break.

What is the 2-minute rule for ADHD?

The ADHD 2-Minute Rule is a productivity hack where you tackle tasks taking under two minutes immediately to build momentum, but it needs modification for ADHD because underestimating time and poor transitions often derail it; instead, try starting a task for just two minutes to overcome inertia, or use a "catch-all" list for quick tasks and adjust the time to 5 minutes to avoid getting lost in minor details, preventing overwhelm and procrastination by focusing on getting started. 

What are quick tasks?

Quick tasks are simple activities that you define and add to a case. You can use quick tasks to organize your work, track one-time tasks, or similar activities. For example, you might create a quick task to make a follow-up call to a client or to locate files that are needed for the case.

What is the 3 2 1 rule for procrastination?

The 3-2-1 rule is as simple as it sounds. When you feel stuck, or you don't want to do something, like getting out of bed in the middle of winter, you mentally (or verbally) count down from three: 3… 2… 1… and go. Think of it as a mental nudge to interrupt your thoughts and jumpstart your actions.

What is the 9PM rule?

🔕 Adopt the 9PM Do Not Disturb rule to silence notifications, protect evenings and mornings, and reclaim up to three extra productive hours daily. ⏰ 9PM is pivotal: aligns with your circadian rhythm, curbs micro-distractions, and stabilises bedtime for better sleep and sharper morning focus.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for productivity?

The 3-3-3 productivity rule, popularized by Oliver Burkeman, is a daily planning method focusing on three types of tasks: 3 hours on your most important project, 3 shorter tasks that are urgent or avoided, and 3 maintenance activities (like emails or life admin) to keep things running smoothly, helping you manage time without unrealistic expectations and incorporating breaks.
 

What is the 80/20 rule explained?

The 80/20 Rule, or Pareto Principle, states that roughly 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, meaning a small number of inputs drive the majority of outputs in any system, like 20% of customers generating 80% of sales or 20% of tasks yielding 80% of productivity. It's a guideline for focusing efforts, encouraging prioritization of the "vital few" high-impact activities to achieve maximum results, rather than getting bogged down by the "trivial many". 

What's the longest you can legally work without a break?

Legally, how long you can work without a break depends on your location, as the U.S. federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn't require meal or rest breaks, but many states do, with rules varying from requiring a 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5-6 hours (like California or Illinois) to mandating paid 10-minute breaks every 4 hours (like Colorado). Federal law only mandates paid short breaks (5-20 mins) if provided, and unpaid meal breaks (30+ mins) if they relieve you of duties, while state laws often offer stronger protections, especially for minors. 

Can a company force you to use your phone to clock in?

Can I refuse to use my personal phone for work? If using a personal phone for business purposes is not a condition of your employment, you may be able to refuse use. However, California law requires that employees be reimbursed by their employers for the work related use of personal cell phones.

What is a good lunch break routine?

Exercise. Lunchtime is already one of the least productive times of the day for most people, that is. In order to be more productive, get in a short workout before you grab a quick bite. Studies show that exercise can sharpen mental performance, improve time-management skills, and increase job satisfaction.