breath - key to creativity and balance in ministry

Want to spark your creativity? Want to experience a balanced life? Read on.

This is part 2 of a series of blog posts I am writing about creativity and balance in ministry. Read part one if you haven’t yet done so.

Another technique that has literally transformed my sense of balance and infused creativity in my soul is this:

Throughout the day, work in a 45-90 minute window, then take a 10-15 minute break.

This is a quote from the book Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields:

“Our brains become easily fatigued. They need breaks in order to refuel, to be able to refocus, create and produce. When we don’t give them the needed time to refuel, they more or less start to shut down and ratchet up the mood crank factor until we have to listen. By then we’ve often spend hours at work, without actually accomplishing a whole lot of work.

The part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the part of the brain related to creativity and willpower, is easily fatigued..Willpower, it turns out, is a depletable resource. Tasks that involve heavy thinking, working memory, concentration and creativity tax the PFC in a major way…It doesn’t make all that much to draw your willpower tank down to zero.”

Ministry requires you to solve problems, love & serve people, and to be creative (among other things). Therefore, it puts a heavy strain on your PFC, which quickly needs to be refueled. In other words – the harder you work, the less productive you become.

The best thing you can do for yourself, your family and your ministry is to take breaks throughout the day. Research proves that after 45-90 minutes of focused creative (and I would add ministry-related) work, your brain needs a break. It needs room to breath. I would add your heart and soul need a break as well. Usually a good 10-15 minutes will do.

Yes, if you adopt this schedule you get less work done in a given day. But research proves your outcome and creativity will be much higher. And I would add that your heart is at a better place to love and serve others. You experience a stronger connection with God, sense of balance, less stress and more peace.

Here are some things you can do for these mini-breaks throughout the day:
– Pray
– Listen to what God is speaking to you
– Meditate on scripture
– Take a walk
– Grab a cup of coffee
– Have a short conversation with a co-worker
– Journal
– Paint
– Go for a bike ride
– Stretch

Now, if you are passionate about ministry, a Type-A personality, or if you have a monster to-do list that is screaming for your attention, this will be hard to implement. I know this because I that describes me. If left uncheekd I could easily work 12 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, with little breaks throughout the day. I get lost in my work because I am passionate about it. It makes a difference in other peoples lives.

But I am discovering a new way to live.

Working 45-90 minutes, then taking a 10-15 minute break, has been a game changer for me. I am more passionate about life and my heart is more alive than ever before. I feel at the peak of my creative self. I am more connected to God than ever. I have the most energy I’ve had in years (more about this in another post). And a big part of this change is using this technique.

Try it for a day, then enjoy the benefits. Resist the temptation to work non-stop, with little or no breaks in between. The more you implement this technique, the more creativity, balance and connection with God you will experience.