On taking a break

“The mind must be given relaxation - it will rise improved and sharper after a good break. Just as rich fields must not be forced - for they will quickly lose their fertility if never given a break - so constant work on the anvil will fracture the force of mind. But it regains its powers if it is set free and relaxed for a while.” — Seneca, on Tranquility of Mind

For a long time, I used to have a bad relationship with ‘taking breaks’.

For some reason, I’d associated it with some weird mess of “needing a break is for the weak and I’m trying to get stronger at this”…

…Which, as you probably know, is utter nonsense.

For many of us, when we’re doing important, difficult work… taking a break feels unimportant, and equally difficult.

Turns out, if you take that break, that important, difficult work may simply become important work.

Consider adding “going for a walk” as an essential line-item in your to-do list of how great things get done.

They were and are for some of the world’s greatest minds.

Maybe they’re onto something.