If you watch the hit show Mad Men, you know that in the 60s, lunch was an event. Bosses and employees alike left the office for lunch; there was eating and drinking and negotiating and new-business developing—and yes, some trysting, too!
We’re not saying we should go back to that time—whole afternoons were lost to too much “lunch.” But in the decades since then, lunch has fallen mightily in the time and effort and respect we give it. Lunch was once a legitimate part of the day, recess for the palate and soul, a welcome break that refreshed and transitioned us from morning to afternoon. But now, we barely acknowledge it. We cheat lunch, trade lunch, work through lunch and look askance at those who would actually go to lunch.
What have we done to lunch?
Time.com reporter Victor Luckerson asks if lunch is a waste of time or productivity booster. He writes that when you’re frantically sending emails or writing memos at your desk over lunch, you only think you’re being more productive. But that’s unfortunately what we tend to do most days. Even the grab-something-quick-get-back-to-work lunch, long a staple in the U.S., is disappearing. Only one-third of workers take any kind of lunch break away from their desks, and even the big guys tend to bring lunch from home and eat in their offices.
According to many experts, taking a real lunch break can provide a huge boost in creativity. Toward the end of the morning, you’re on the decline cognitively; it’s time to rest and refresh. Although “pushing through” has become a pet saying in the gym and in the office, we’re not doing ourselves any favors. And even if you eat lunch, staying in won’t give you the same kind of mental boost that going outside and walking around will. Seeing different things and people and talking about things other than work stimulates and re-energizes the brain.
But some still resist, preferring to “power through” to get to the end of the day. Many office cultures discourage lunch; there’s an unspoken judgment of slacking off or being lazy. There’s still enough post-recession insecurity that a lot of workers are reluctant to buck their office culture in any way.
If you’d like to re-acquaint yourself with the pleasure and benefits of lunch, you might try taking a real lunch one day a week. Just follow these guidelines:
- Leave your desk, and leave your office.
- Go with friends.
- Walk around some.
- Find a pleasant environment in which to eat.
- Eat lightly to keep your energy up.
- Try to talk about things other work.
- Make it leisurely, not a mad dash.
We know—easier said than done. But it’s worth a try.
Aside from lunch day-to-day, there isn’t nearly as much business lunching going on, either. But you may find yourself at an honest-to-goodness business lunch one day, and inc.com suggests seven rules for successful business lunches:
- It doesn’t have to be lunch. We’re 24/7 now—so breakfast, dinner or coffee can work just as well.
- Come prepared. Don’t forget this is a meeting, so there still needs to be a framework—agenda, objectives, etc.
- NO TMI! Again, don’t forget this is a business meeting, not a chance for personal revelation.
- Don’t drink. Enough said.
- Bring your table manners. There’s a long list, like chewing and talking, blowing your nose, licking your fingers, eating from someone else’s plate. Just be mindful.
- Listen. Don’t talk about yourself. Ask a lot of questions. Have a dialogue.
- Pick up the check—if you initiated the meeting. If they insist, avoid drama by letting them.
There may be good reasons for having more business lunches. Harvard Business Review published research last year that found a link between lunch and profitable negotiations. Apparently food helps us relax and open up to possibilities. After all, “breaking bread” has been viewed as a uniter for centuries. Bon appetit!
Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The post The power of lunch: Don’t make a habit of skipping it! appeared first on Business Cash Advance.com.