3 Ways to Have a Productive Lunch

Lunch happens to be one of those overlooked times to increase productivity. Most of us usually look at lunch as just enough time to eat a light snack. Only 1 in 3 people take a lunch. What are the other 2/3rds doing? Eating at their desk, or not taking a lunch at all.

How is your midday meal affecting your productivity?

Do you want to learn more about the three areas of your life that can be more productive during lunch?

Look at your calendar right now. Tell me if you have anything scheduled during lunch? Where are you usually sitting during this time of day? Who is with you? Do you have this time blocked off for free time with no plan or agenda? Think about the past few days or even weeks. I would bet that lunch is the least productive time of your day.

Work on Personal Development

It is possible to move mountains by carrying small stones. To generate bigger dividends, all you need to do is to chip away every day for 15-30 minutes each day, and the perfect time to do this is during lunch.

Examples

• Read for 30 min.
• Join a Bible study or mastermind group.
• Learn a new language.
  • Try duolingo and add me as a friend for some friendly competition and accountability.
• Take an exercise class. Exercise stimulates productivity.
  • Only 18% of the workforce takes advantage of this time.
  • Walking outside improves serotonin levels that enhance mood and help you sleep at night.

Get Out of The Office

Do you feel more productive on days you leave the office for lunch?

Examples

• Go somewhere and eat. Don’t sit there and chain yourself to the desk. Grab a bite to eat.
  • Your nutrition is essential for making decisions, because glucose levels fall in the afternoon.
  • We make worse decisions when those levels are low. We need glucose for the brain to function. Your body needs fuel to keep going.
• Never eat alone.
  • Network
    • Contact a second or third connection on LinkedIn that might add value to your life and go to lunch.
  • Fellowship.
    • My church has a men’s fellowship group who gets together once a month. We catch up and discuss our busy lives. We break bread, give each other support, and encouragement.
  • Take peers, subordinates, or the boss to lunch.
    • Maybe it is a client, business partner, or old connection.
    • Connect with people outside your circle and see your relationships shape and add value.
• Run personal errands and complete tasks.
  • Only 25% of the workforce take advantage of this time to get things done.

Unplug and Recharge

Examples

• Take a nap and catch some zzz’s.
• Meditate.

Whether it is one of these ideas or one that came to you while reading this, get up and do something productive. Productive people do what is important to them and cut all the other stuff out of their lives. Make sure what you are doing during lunch aligns with your strategic goals and objectives in life.