If you want to be more productive, there’s one thing you should do…

Sure, you could reach out to more people in your network to check-in. We always encourage network marketers to build relationships with their networks. But, that’s not it, especially if you’ve been connecting with people in your network regularly.

You could also follow up with more people in your network. Following up is an act of love and is essential to your business, but again that’s not quite it. 

It’s take a break. Although it may seem counterintuitive, breaks can actually help you become more productive, not less. There are many types of breaks to take, and each one plays a role in your productivity and growing your business. 

Why do you need to take a break?

Many network marketers have a nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic. For decades, the popular theory was that in order to succeed you have to work all the time – eat, sleep, and breathe your business. While your business should be a top priority, it doesn’t need to be the only thing you think about. After all, there are other things in your life that fulfill you, including family and hobbies. Additionally, many network marketers got into the industry because they were sick of the typical 9 to 5 daily grind. Others got into it because they wanted to work for themselves or wanted to have a side business. 

Whatever your reason for starting your network marketing business, one thing is clear, you likely didn’t want to make it your entire life. The good news is you don’t need to make your business your whole life in order to achieve success. In fact, many successful network marketers only work on their businesses for less than an hour a day (hence, the Power HOUR). Sure, they may add more time as their networks grow larger; however, for most, they can connect with their networks and follow up with them each day in an hour or less. However, even when you can achieve your daily activities in an hour or less a day, it doesn’t mean you don’t need a break. 

The different types of breaks

A quick breather throughout the day

This is a quick break you may take in order to calm your mind and rest for a second. When you’re moving through your to-do list each day it’s easy to become so caught up in the tasks (and getting them done) that you forget to take a short break to gather your thoughts and just breathe. It’s not a race. No one will give you an award if you complete your to-do list in record time. Taking time to pause as you work through the day will allow you to focus better on the task at hand and complete that task in a timely manner. Your mind will also get a chance to rest, which is important if you want to avoid distractions. 

A short break allows you to check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Do you need water or a snack? Do you need to close your eyes for a minute to just regroup? A head-to-toe check in will help you find areas where you may be tensing up. Sometimes our business activities, even though we know we have to do them, can leave us feeling anxious. What if this person will ignore my message instead of responding back? Why is it taking so long for someone to respond? It’s easy to work yourself (and your muscles) up just thinking about scenarios that aren’t happening in the present. A break helps you stop and confront these negative and anxious feelings so you can deal with them and let them go.

An hour or two to yourself

We all need time for ourselves to focus on self-care. It could be a walk we take around the neighborhood to get our blood flowing and enjoy a podcast or our favorite music. For others, it’s taking time out to enjoy a good, healthy meal and catch up with loved ones. Or, it could be doing a hobby you enjoy. Whatever it is, taking an hour or two to do something you enjoy will not only give your brain a break from thinking about your business, it’ll also fill your spirit with joy. 

This type of break is especially important when you’re feeling unmotivated, frustrated or overwhelmed. Whatever challenges you’re facing will continue to be worked through by your brain. You may be able to work through those challenges. Additionally, it may help you gain insight and perspective into your situation. If you’re unmotivated, you may be able to figure out why. Often, it takes stepping away from a challenge to see if fully and figure out how to handle it. 

Similarly, if you’re overwhelmed taking a break will help you figure out what is important to work on first. You’ll be able to separate the priorities from the distractions. Now, it may also see contrary to go take a break when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s natural to want to keep working through it until you’ve figured it out. Unfortunately, the more you focus on it, the more elusive the solution will become. You have to step back and leave it for an hour or two, even if it feels weird. This will help you gain the perspective you need to figure it out and thus improve your productivity. 

Long weekends

Sometimes you just gotta get away, and the summer is just the time to do it. If you have kids, they’re out of school. And, in many industries, work seems to slow down a bit in the summer when people take vacations. Long weekends are just a few days away, either physically from your home or mentally from your business (or both). Even if you’re not heading to a B&B with your spouse or loved ones, it’s important to take a day or two away from your business. This helps you gain perspective and think through solutions to any challenges you may be facing in your business. And, most importantly, this break gives you time to become recommitted to your business and boost your motivation. Sure, it’s just a couple of days away, but this short break can help you feel reenergized to meet and exceed the goals you’ve set for your business. 

Planned vacations

These are longer breaks away from your business. When you just need to get away, a vacation is in store. When done correctly, a week or two away from your business can rejuvenate your energy and your motivation, while having a very minimal impact on your business.

One thing to keep in mind before you pack your bags? These breaks take planning! After all, you don’t want your business to be impacted negatively while you’re gone and unable to work on it for a week or two. In other words, you don’t want to miss your goals because you went on a much-deserved vacation. That’s why in the weeks leading up to your break, you may want to add another Power Hour to your week so that you can lay the foundation for business when you return. Sure, it seems like a small act – adding just one more Power Hour to your week –  it’s those small acts that add up. Another day each week of connecting with your network and following up with your customers, prospects, and distributors adds up over time. It also helps you solidify those good habits. Although it may take a few days to get back into your good habits once you return, soon you’ll be back at it and feel refreshed and motivated as well. In short, you’ll be ready to take on the world! (or at least reach your goals for the quarter and year.

Teamzy makes it easier to build the foundation for a strong network marketing business

We created Teamzy to help network marketers build the foundation for strong businesses. More than a CRM, Teamzy helps you set SMART goals and improve your skills while giving you a list of people to contact each day. Whether you’re adding another Power Hour to your week in preparation for time off or you’re trying to get back into it after some time away, Teamzy makes it easier for you get and stay on track. Click here to learn more.