Going To The Movies During Work Can Make You More Productive
It might seem crazy to think being less productive during the work day actually makes you more productive. Surprisingly, this strategy actually works when trying to up productivity according to CNBC Make It.
This productivity tip was created by Cal Newport, the author of “Slow Productivity” and Georgetown University Professor.
In Newports most recent book, he says that getting rid of “pseudo productivity” is the key to doing productive and meaningful work and getting rid of burnout. This “pseudo productivity” means to just be busy all the time with random tasks just to keep us busy. To get rid of this we have to move the effort being used on random tasks and use it for outcomes-based work instead.
Switching to slow productivity means doing fewer things at work, but doing them at a normal pace and focusing on the quality of the work.
Newport says that working at a normal, or natural, pace is done by paying attention to our dips and peaks in energy. Some ways to do this include scheduling no-meeting days in your calendar and having focused hours. He also says a way to do this is planning a trip to the movies during work once every month.
According to Newport, most workplaces won’t notice if you’re gone for an afternoon every 30 days. He says to “just say you had a ‘personal appointment.’ Which is true,” if someone asks about where you were.
When doing this strategy you of course need to be mindful of when you’re planning this day. It’s important to plan this time out in your calendar ahead of time so you don’t cause unnecessary problems and stress for your coworkers. It’s also important that you don’t plan this time during an important meeting or activity. You need to be prepared to move this mini break day as well in case a work emergency pops up.
Many people might feel guilty taking these breaks, just like the problem that us Americans have with taking sick days, however, in the long run these breaks are incredible for productivity and improve work ethic.
“We take time away from work for all sorts of things,” including things like doctors appointments, Newport states, “it’s just we don’t see it as valid unless it’s something that has some sort of commensurate amount of discomfort.”
To put this in perspective he says: “It helps to remember all of the extra hours you’ve spent checking email in the evening or working on your laptop over the weekend. Missing the occasional weekday afternoon only balances this ledger.”
There are of course other things that you can do during this mini break like going to the museum. It’s really up to you and your interest for what you do during this time.
