Success Advice
How Strategic Breaks Can Help Boost Your Productivity
If you’d like to learn how to boost your productivity so you can get further ahead in all aspects of life, sign up for the free 90-Day Master Class hosted by the founder of Addicted2Success.com, Joel Brown.
We all know the enormous amount of energy, willpower, and discipline it takes to carry a big project to completion. For some, the completion of a big project means long periods of relaxation which may lead to complacency. Certainly, they’re entitled. Yet, for others, they may just want to dive right into their project without relaxing, which may cause burnout and anxiety.
Here I discuss the importance of “strategic breaks” which means breaks that are neither too short nor too long. They are short enough to avoid you having too much to do once you start and long enough to allow you to fully disconnect and re-charge.
Quality, not quantity
You may wonder how long you should relax. To my knowledge, there is no widely accepted number of days to rest, but I suspect that a period of 3 to 6 days should be more than enough to get you recharged. For example, Marissa Mayer told Fortune, “I pace myself by taking a week-long vacation every four months.”
Note that the quality of your breaks should be more important than the quantity. Don’t take any mental baggage with you, enjoy the scarce time you have to the utmost. There are various scientifically-proven benefits of taking breaks, here I will put the emphasis on the four most important upsides of momentarily disconnecting from work.
1. Increase in productivity
Strategic breaks help prevent “decision fatigue.” The prefrontal cortex is actively involved when doing goal-oriented work such as decision-making, logical thinking, and executive functioning.
Sustained attention to a project will put tremendous strain on the prefrontal cortex. Therefore, disengaging for some time will leave you refreshed and thereby increasing your productivity. Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Facebook and an author, and she argues she is able to juggle between Facebook and writing because she enjoys all her vacation days.
“Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.” – Dale Carnegie
2. Improved mental well-being
Stress has long been one of the most common problems in the workplace with detrimental effects on employees, managers, and organizations at large. Constant concentration could lead to a higher risk of heart disease, anxiety, depression, and obesity. One week away after the completion of an important project could help reset your mood by the release of dopamine, thereby promoting wellbeing and reducing stress and anxiety.
For example, Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO argues that time off hiking could lead to clearer thinking. Time in nature, meditation, or any self-care activity could go a great length to improve your mental well-being.
3. Creativity boost
Do you remember times when you were struggling with a task? You moved away from your desk, then suddenly the solution to your problem came to you as if by magic? This phenomenon can be likened to the completion and transitioning to a new project.
It’s hard for a project manager and employee to develop new ideas or solutions when they are jumping from project to project without strategic breaks. Have you ever asked why companies such as Evernote, Netflix, and LinkedIn, are offering employees either flexible or discretionary paid time off? I’m willing to speculate it’s because they are aware that time away from work will most definitely help get those creative juices flowing.
“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
4. Prevent procrastination
At the other end of the spectrum are those who instead of relaxing, dive right into their next project after having completed one. This tendency is called procrastination. We procrastinate when we rush too quickly into tasks.
David Rosenbaum, a professor of psychology at the University of California, in her research warns that procrastination could be harmful to productivity. Rushing too quickly into tasks will result in problems that could have easily been prevented with minimal planning. Remember to step back and devote a little time planning and save yourself hours in execution.
The Bottom Line
Congratulations on having completed your big project. Now it’s time to give yourself the break that you deserve. Once you have “recharged,” do take some time planning your next one. If you do so, you can transition from your last project to the next one with the right mindset and the necessary physical strength that will allow you to succeed.
How often do you take breaks during your work day? Do you feel like they’re necessary? Share your thoughts on the subject below!
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How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog
If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers
Picking the right affiliate programs for your blog is really important. It can make a big difference in how much money you can make and how much your readers get out of your blog. With so many choices out there, deciding which ones to go with can be tricky.
This guide is here to make it easier for you. It will give you clear steps and helpful tips to choose affiliate programs that fit well with what your blog is about, what your readers like, and what you stand for.
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Understanding Affiliate Marketing
Before you start picking affiliate programs, it’s important to really understand what affiliate marketing is and how it works.
Basically, affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service on your blog, and then you get paid a little bit every time someone buys something or does something because you recommended it.
It’s great for both the person selling the product and the blogger, because the seller gets more sales with low risk, and the blogger can make money from their blog.
How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs for Your Blog
1. Assess Your Niche and Audience
The key to doing well in affiliate marketing starts with really knowing what your blog is about and who reads it. Consider the following:
- Your blog’s content: What topics do you cover? Ensure the products or services you promote are relevant.
- Your audience’s interests and needs: What solutions are they seeking? Choose affiliate programs that offer products or services that solve their problems or enhance their lives.
2. Research Potential Affiliate Programs
Once you know what your blog is about and what your readers want, start looking for affiliate programs. Choose ones that are well-known for good products, great customer service, and helpful support for affiliates. Resources to find these programs include:
- Affiliate networks like ShareASale, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.
- Direct searches for “[Your Niche] affiliate programs” in search engines.
- Recommendations from other bloggers in your niche.
3. Evaluate the Commission Structure
The commission structure is a critical factor to consider. Look for programs that offer competitive rates that make your efforts worthwhile. Consider:
- The percentage of commission per sale.
- Whether the program offers a flat rate per action (e.g., per sign-up).
- The cookie duration, which affects how long after a click you can earn commissions on sales.
4. Consider the Program’s Reputation and Sureness
Join affiliate programs with a solid reputation for quality and sureness. This not only ensures that you’re promoting good products but also that you’ll be paid on time. You can:
- Read reviews from other affiliates.
- Check the program’s history and background.
- Look for any complaints or issues reported online.
5. Analyze the Support and Resources Offered
A good affiliate program gives you things like ads to use, training on their products, and helpful managers. Having access to these resources can really help you do a better job at promoting their products.
6. Understand the Terms and Conditions
Before signing up, thoroughly review the program’s terms and conditions. Pay close attention to:
- Payment thresholds and methods.
- Any restrictions on how you can promote their products.
- The program’s policy on affiliate marketing on social media platforms.
7. Test the Product or Service
If possible, test the product or service before promoting it. This firsthand experience allows you to offer genuine charge and build trust with your audience.
8. Look for Recurring Commission Opportunities
Some affiliate programs pay you again and again for subscriptions or services that charge fees regularly. These can provide a more stable income compared to one-time sales commissions.
Implementing Your Choice
After choosing the best affiliate programs, the next step is to smoothly include your affiliate marketing in your content plan. This includes:
- Creating valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate links.
- Disclosing your affiliate affairs transparently to maintain trust with your audience.
- Tracking your results to understand what works best for your audience and adjusting your strategy accordingly.
Picking the best affiliate programs for your blog involves careful planning, research, and making sure they match what your audience likes and needs.
If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers.
The real key to doing well with affiliate marketing isn’t just about the products you talk about, but also how much your audience trusts and values your advice.
With enough time, patience, and hard work, your blog can grow into a successful space that earns a good amount of affiliate money and helps your readers choose the right products.
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