Favorite Tips
“Knowing when not to work is as important as knowing when to work.” Harvey MacKay
Research shows that a short break every forty-five minutes actually increases productivity. The following are a few examples of ways bench jewelers can take effective breaks. This is not a comprehensive list, but meant to stimulate your creativity to find ways to renew your body and mind so that you can work at maximize productivity during your work day.
Coffee Break
This is the old stand by and just as effective today as ever. Sometimes you just need to go get a drink of your favorite beverage and get away from it all.
Wash You Hands
Going to the sink to washing your hands and face can be very invigorating, and effective in giving our minds a change of pace, and it only takes a minute or two. Also this helps prevent illness - getting sick is a major time waster.
Do Chores
For the creative person these menial tasks can be a break, a change of pace that is badly needed, and you can feel good about the concrete, visible fruits of your labor. Sweep the Floor, Dust the Shelves, Vacuum the Shop, Changing the Solution in the Ultrasonic, Clean out the Polishing Machine, Put Tools Away, Organizing Your Bench or Shop, etc.
Maintaining Tools
Sharpen Gravers and Drill Bits, Clean and Oil Your Pliers, Clean Your Files, Change Broken Saw Blades, Change Worn-Out Wheels on Your Flex Shaft Mandrels, etc.
Favorite Tips continued