Tips for Disconnecting From Work Responsibilities

I don’t get my best ideas in forced ideation meetings. I get them during my 45-minute disconnect sessions. Most people think innovation comes from working non-stop. But real breakthroughs don't come from grinding harder - they come when you step away from: - Work - Screens - Constant hustle Research from UC Berkeley shows a striking finding: taking regular breaks from technology boosts creativity by 60%. Bill Gates does this through an annual think week - where he lives in an off-grid cabin in the woods just to disconnect and think. But that’s not an option for you and me, so here are my easier alternatives that consistently lead to breakthrough ideas: 1. Tech-free nature walks ↳ Nature walks without my phone force me to notice things I'd usually miss. The fresh air clears mental clutter, and new environments spark unexpected connections. ↳ Moving outdoors boosts my energy, making me feel more refreshed and open to new ideas. 2. Doodling and mind mapping ↳ It allows me to visually explore ideas and connect dots I'd normally overlook. ↳ The freeform process helps me think without constraints while giving my brain a productive break. 3. Zero-pressure brainstorming ↳ I ask “What if?” questions when there’s no need to do so, and welcome every idea without any judgment. ↳ It leads to bold, unexpected solutions because no idea is off-limits. ↳ By exploring all possibilities, I find more innovative answers. Following this routine fuels the kind of creativity that sets you apart. This intentional disconnection creates space for breakthrough ideas that others miss while stuck in their daily grind. What's your favorite way to disconnect? Has it ever led to an unexpected breakthrough? #breaksessions #productivityhack #personalgrowth

One of the most important lessons I learned that improved my well-being as a lawyer: detaching from work requires intentionality and effort. Detachment is tricky, because even when you walk away from the office at the end of the day, your mind can—and often does—remain in an endless loop of thinking about work. It's easy to fall into the trap of believing, as I did, that the more time I spent thinking about work, the more effective I'd be at my job. But I learned that it's often the opposite—detaching allows you to refresh, recharge and rejuvenate, which makes time spent focused on work more productive. This seems fairly obvious, right? But as many of us know, detaching is way easier said than done. Here are three things that helped me: 1. A shutdown routine: At the end of each workday, I started spending 15 minutes taking a spin through my email inbox to make sure I didn't miss anything, checking my calendar to see what's on the docket for the next few days, and preparing my to-do list for the next day. While I often spend a bit of time on email after my kids go to bed (so it's not a literal shutdown), the routine gives me confidence to detach after putting in a hard day of work. 2. An outside interest I love: When I'm engaged in vigorous exercise on my mountain bike, with friends and in nature, it's almost impossible to think about work because I'm fully present in the moment. 3. Putting my phone in a drawer at home: I only started doing this upon having kids, after realizing that while I may have been physically present with them, I kept sneaking glances at my email, which meant I wasn't mentally present. Finally, I think this recommendation from a Harvard Business Review article is a critical reminder for all of us who struggle with detachment: "Remind yourself that you are much more than your job: However much you love your job, it is a mistake to define yourself too closely to your work. Take time to reflect on what you want to achieve in life and think about your definition of personal success. This should help you during those times when work gets difficult and the pressure becomes unbearable. What is your definition of life success?" What is your definition of life success? That's a big question we all must grapple with. It's a critical one to consider, because only when we have a sense of the answer, can we engage in a process of reverse-engineering a career plan, and day-to-day work experience, that maps to that vision. I hope you find time to detach—and enjoy people and activities you love—over the weekend!

Just returned from an amazing week completely unplugged and feeling recharged! 🌞 The trip was to celebrate my brilliant friend who just finished her bar exam and is on her way to becoming a lawyer. With both of us leading busy lives, a week off was the perfect change of pace. Even though I took a break from work, I picked up some valuable insights on how to truly disconnect without everything falling apart: 👩🏫 Delegate and Set Clear Expectations: Even a short break can lead to a lot of details slipping through the cracks, so it’s important to document everything and establish where you left off and what needs attention when you return. 🗓️ Create a Game Plan: Assign tasks to team members and ensure they’re clear on their responsibilities. Knowing that my colleagues were handling things allowed me to relax and enjoy my time off without worry. 😇 Be Honest and Manage Expectations: Avoid overpromising or making commitments while you’re away. It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than to stretch yourself too thin. Most importantly, I learned that taking time to recharge is invaluable. With a solid plan in place, you can turn off your notifications and genuinely enjoy your break without stress. 🏖️🍹 What proactive steps do you take before taking time off?