Day 125: On Going Away From Work

Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.

—Leonardo DaVinci

A productive, self-disciplined person isn’t afraid of taking a break and relaxing a little. They know that if they don’t do it, they won’t recharge and soon their greatly decreased creativity and problem-solving skills will ruin their resolve.

I strongly suggest traveling — even if it’s just a weekend trip — to get away from your work, forget about it for a while, gain a fresh perspective and return ready to solve the challenges.

Often when you’re struggling with the same problem for weeks or months on end, it’s because you’re too close to it and unable to see the forest for the trees. An act of what you might consider a lack of self-discipline — taking it easy and going on a trip — is ultimately a smart technique to ensure maximum productivity and persistence for the long haul.