Brake For A Break

In this Move Fwds series we have covered how traffic signals and road rules connect with human behavior. Why is that important? Because using analogies and metaphors helps bring a connection between the problem and the answer. Or between the thing keeping you stuck and the path to move forwards.

Today we are learning to brake for a break, by covering what brakes are and why vehicles need them. Then learning about breaks, and how to use them. After we’ll discover the difference between stuck and break. And finish off with how to brake for a break.

If you are new here feel free to catch up on some of the previous posts covered. Learning about boundaries and life, or roundabouts and feeling stuck, or communication with the traffic lights.

Otherwise, let’s bring everything to a red-hot crashing brake for a break.

What Does Brake for a Break Mean?

To answer this question, we need to understand the purpose of brakes in any vehicle. Without getting into the nitty-gritty and the dirty parts and details of the entire braking system. The short answer is, if there were no brakes your car would not stop. There’s a process in how the brakes work, the main takeaways relevant to this Move Fwds piece include:

• There are brake systems installed on each car wheel, plus a handbrake.
  (Every system you have, needs to have adequate breaks installed, along with the emergency ‘handbrake’.)
• When the brake pedal is pushed, it starts a series of actions to reduce the energy in the wheels by slowing down and eventually stopping.
  (The body has its own slow down mechanisms to encourage needed breaks.)
• Brakes include parts called brake pads and brake fluids, both of which need replacing from time to time.
  (Just as parts of a car need replacing, so too do human bodies in the term of breaks, to avoid burn out.)

Keen on more brake facts check out these two amazing resources: how a car works and engineering choice.

Hold tight, as we transform this information into our brake for a break content.

What is a Break?

At Very Well Mind, Elizabeth Scott (2023) wrote about the importance of breaks needed at work. Refer to her quoted work:
“Taking a break from work is vital if you want to manage stress and avoid burnout. Signs that you might need to take a break include feeling cynical, exhausted, or withdrawn. By taking a break, whether its a vacation or just a short break during the day, you can come back to your work with a fresher, more rested mind.”

Taking a break is not just an action for those in employment, but everyone! Even children in school take breaks called recess or lunch. Yes, it is a food break, but also a break from learning toward a different activity. Have you noticed everyday humans and animals, take breaks called sleep?

Without breaks, our systems would burn out and cause major problems. Breaks are ways to reduce to restore.

What is the Difference Between a Break and Stuck?

As noted above a break is a moment taken to do a different activity. It can also be a moment to pause or reflect. Review back to the yellow traffic light which taught us to slow down and embrace the wait. A break is a pivotal moment to reduce stress and come back with a sense of empowerment.

To feel stuck, however, is to extend the break time into a continuous moment. Perhaps a situation felt stressful, and a worry or concern was “If I break now, I won’t have the energy to return to this task.”  This is a common mental/psychological way to get stuck. Let’s break it down:

1. The overthought and need to push and demand yourself to finish a task, despite your body pleading for a break.
2. The worry of not having enough creative juice to finish the task if you were to break now.
3. The concern of not meeting the deadline.
4. The realization of operating differently from others on the team.
5. The feeling that you “should” be able to do this.

Eliminate the “Should-scale”

Take it from past experiences as I was stuck for six years in an abusive relationship! There’s a term I’ve coined to help explain suckness to others, and that is the “should-scale”. To put it plainly, each of these listed points has mapped out what “should” be done according to assumptions. The likelihood is no one has said these points must be laid out. Instead, it is the faulty hardwiring that each human is capable of to think on this make-believe “should-scale”.
I’m telling you right now, turn away from the “should-scale” because it is nothing more than a weight of expectations. Run away from your desk and take that break, then come back and continue the project.

By taking the break, you are likely to return refreshed, enlightened, encouraged, fulfilled, and energized. The break is a momentary pause to boost your project once you return.

You only get stuck because of the “should-scale”.

How to Brake for a Break?

Easy! Notice the signs your body is telling you. Perhaps you’re a writer and notice a slump in your type-fest. Your fingers want a break, so take one. Maybe you’re an engineer or architect and can’t figure out the best next move on the project, take a break. Chances are heightened the idea will strike you when you are NOT working on the project. Take a break.

Just as the brake systems have multiple parts to reduce energy and slow down to a stop. Are the same way you need to begin to spot how your body has already begun the brake process as it yells out for a break.

Brake Now For this Break

Check out this podcast episode at the Harvard Business Review where the discussion is how to break free from stuckness!

Added mantras to help you brake for a break

• Brake for a break
• Reduce to restore
• Eliminate the Should-Scale
• Pause now, for Project boost

Until next time, check in with yourself and use that brake to break – you deserve it!