What do you do when you’re not working? When you aren’t at your most “productive?”

 

What do you do in the spaces between the appointments on your calendar or the tasks on your list?

 

Dr. Jim Loehr, world-renowned performance psychologist and author of 16 books, including, The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal, has discovered that the highest performers manage the spaces between the work.

 

While coaching some of the best tennis players in the world, Dr. Loehr immersed himself in movement and behavior on the court. What made the best better than the rest? After over 100 hours of study, he couldn’t see it.

 

Then he noticed something. The highest performing players had the most scripted, consistent routines between the points. How they return to the baseline, spin their rackets, bounce the ball… these routines helped them reset, lower their heart rates and renew themselves for the next task.

 

I’m sure you’re intentional about how you manage your work. Are you equally intentional about how you manage your breaks?

 

This podcast with Molly Fletcher is a fantastic intro to Dr. Loehr’s perspective. Hope you enjoy it. Tell me what you think!