One Skill To Learn In The New Year: How To Use Breaks To Increase Productivity

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As we step into a new year, embracing thinking breaks is a habit worth cultivating. In our fast-paced world, moments of reflection can enhance creativity and problem-solving.
Whether tackling work challenges, learning new skills, or pursuing personal goals, regular breaks can help us approach hurdles with a renewed clarity that can’t be discovered elsewhere.

How often have you been deep in a task, only to hit a wall, your ideas running dry? For many of us, it’s a familiar and frustrating experience.
Have you ever stepped away, taken a break, and focused on something else for a while? Or is that something you’ve rarely considered?
I used to power through—skipping breaks and working late to meet deadlines—only to find my efforts fell short of expectations. Realising I’d have to start over was soul-crushing and exhausting.

Over time, I’ve learned that stepping away can be the key to moving forward. Now, I make space for what I call “thinking breaks.”
When we take a break, something fascinating happens. Even as we focus on something unrelated—making tea, gazing out a window, or taking a stroll—the problem we were working on continues to simmer in the back of our minds.
This mental reset helps our brain reorganize, providing clarity and new perspectives. As we pause, we create room for creative thinking and problem-solving to flourish.

Allowing time to think can spark creativity, reveal solutions, and clear mental clutter.
Unlike computers, we aren’t built to work nonstop. We need to power down periodically, shifting our attention elsewhere to function at our best.
Even a short, five-minute pause can work wonders. A quick tea break or a walk can recharge us. By focusing on “me time,” we give ourselves the chance to return to our tasks with fresh energy and perspective.

For those in high-pressure roles, such as NHS professionals, thinking breaks are especially crucial. With decisions that affect lives, mental clarity is non-negotiable. Short, intentional breaks help reset focus, reduce burnout, and ultimately improve patient care, recharge when you can even if it’s difficult to find time in such a hectic environment.

Why not see for yourself? Incorporating regular thinking breaks into your routine might just transform your creativity, productivity, and well-being in the year ahead.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts in the “Skills To Learn In The New Year” series where we hear from staff across the organisation to get their perspectives on the skills and attributes people need to learn in to achieve their goals.

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