Anyone who has done any training with me will recognise this phrase, while it does make a bit of a change from the usual ‘shall we have coffee,’ I do in fact mean it literally. Take yourself off for a while and give your brain a rest, use some different connections.

I was pleased to find a similar sentiment in Nicholas Bate’s book ‘Beat the Recession.’ It is packed full of all sorts of action ideas – well 176 to be precise. Under the heading of Tough Decisions he talks about making good decisions by taking time out. He entreats us to look after our brains and to give them a break.

Go home early and watch a film. Take a walk in the park at lunchtime. Go to bed with a great novel. Start swimming. Start walking more…Take your notebook to the cafe…

Whatever you do it is a good idea to give yourself a break from time to time.