In today's work environment, success is commonly defined by the number of hours worked. Overtime and overwork are the rule rather than the exception. Breaks are seen as contradictory to productive work.
But being super busy (or pretending to be, e.g., sending emails at night) is anything but productive.
Most people are only capable of concentrated, creative work for a limited time each day.
Top performance only becomes possible when breaks are integrated into the day as an essential part of work.
The brain needs rest – especially in creative professions – to process absorbed information, establish new connections, and let new ideas develop. Often, the subconscious (more precisely: the default mode network – DMN) solves problems for which we were unable to find a solution outside the rest period.
The DMN works best during active breaks. Activities such as playing an instrument, painting, sailing, climbing keep the brain busy, and they train skills that are also relevant in professional life.
Moderate physical activity, such as walking, also increases and maintains creativity.
The book is based on scientific research and is enriched with numerous exciting anecdotes about successful historical figures.
It contains numerous tips, much of which (like long walks during work hours) are geared more toward the self-employed and entrepreneurs. Employees in today's work environment will find these impractical until also employers consider breaks a relevant part of work.
The book is entertaining, insightful, and written understandably – all in all, well worth reading.
🎧 Suitable as an audiobook? Yes, absolutely.
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