Positively Living®: Shame-Free Productivity Conversations

Why Stepping Back Helps You Move Forward

Lisa Zawrotny Episode 272

Text your thoughts and questions!

Do you feel like you constantly need to push forward and that non-stop work equals peak productivity? The truth is, relentless doing often leads straight to burnout, not true effectiveness. Many of us struggle to give ourselves permission to take a break, fearing it will derail our progress.

In this re-released episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I revisit the powerful, science-backed benefits of pausing. Discover how deliberately stepping away from your work can help your mind process, rejuvenate, and reset, leading to improved focus, enhanced problem-solving, higher quality output, and reduced stress.

I cover the following topics:

  • The importance of pausing to improve focus and combat decision fatigue.
  • How stepping away from problems allows your brain to find better solutions.
  • Why regular breaks prevent mistakes and lead to higher quality work.
  • How pausing triggers your relaxation response, reducing chronic stress and improving decision-making.
  • The science behind why our brains need cycles of focus and rest to avoid cognitive fatigue and boost creativity.
  • Practical ways to incorporate pauses into your day, including timed sprints, physical movement, and mindfulness.

The next time you find yourself in a whirlwind of work, remember that a pause is not a sign of weakness; it's the very thing you need to be your most productive self.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!

Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

Stop trying to fit into someone else’s productivity rules! Grab my free Productivity Toolkit, a collection of workbooks designed to help you explore how you work, uncover what truly matters to you, and create your very own energy-friendly systems. Get it here: www.positivelyproductive.com/plpkit


CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:

Facebook

Instagram

Resources

Work with Lisa! 


LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)


Dance Song Playlist V1, V2, V3

Music by Ian and Jeff Zawrotny


Start your own podcast with Buzzsprout!

Request this Toolkit and other free resources at the Resources Page.

Podcasts we love

Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.