In the spirit of Pride Month and as conversations around the evolving landscape of diversity in the workplace continue, I find it crucial to utilize this moment as an opportunity to explore how workplaces can better support LGBTQ+ individuals. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges faced in a workplace environment. I can’t help but reflect on the countless comments that I’ve heard throughout my career – some well-intentioned, others simply insensible – that led me to think it would be easier, and perhaps better for my career, if I kept this part of my identity private. However, joining Xero changed my perception of this entirely.

As I reflect on my coming out experience, it’s safe to say it was truly one of a kind and a monumental moment in my personal and professional journey. To set the scene, picture a 26-year-old man presenting on-stage at a company-wide event, organically slipping a quote from Beyoncé into my discussion. Well, this exact scenario is what led to me spontaneously deciding to disclose to the full room about my sexuality. This light-hearted inclusion went something along the lines of, “And if you didn’t already know, I’m gay.”

Since that day, the support from my colleagues has been nothing short of incredible. This experience also taught me a valuable lesson about the impact organizations and their leaders can have in fostering environments that not only encourage authenticity and differences but actually celebrate them. At Xero, I’ve found myself in a unique position, one that allows me to embrace my sexuality and bring my full, authentic self to work. I was able to achieve this level of comfort due to the uplifting workplace environment and supportive individuals at our organization – a standard that all companies must try and achieve.

Having gone through this experience firsthand, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what it takes to cultivate a truly inclusive workplace environment, one where employees don’t keep any part of their identity private and feel comfortable bringing their true selves to work.

Celebrate and embrace diversity year-round

Throughout the year, various occasions lead to heightened recognition of diverse groups — February is Black History Month, March is Women’s History Month and June is Pride Month, among others. Being part of an organization that values these moments as opportunities to celebrate progress, honor history and acknowledge the diverse individuals within an organization is extremely heartwarming.

Every year during Pride Month, I’m reminded of the significance of being part of an organization that proudly supports both my community and me. Many organizations focus solely on symbolic changes like updating social media logos, which hold importance, but efforts shouldn’t stop there. Significance for me is about recognizing the progress we’ve made, reflecting on areas of growth and opportunity and using symbolic efforts, like updating social media logos, to celebrate our achievements.

This feeling of joy and acceptance during Pride Month has led me to ponder: What more can organizations do to extend these important discussions and celebrations beyond just one month a year? Truly inclusive workplaces recognize the value of creating work environments that regularly track and celebrate diversity goals and achievements. While designated months provide great opportunities for additional engagement and recognition, leaders should strive to create a workplace culture that regularly values, acknowledges and celebrates differences.

As a leader, one of the primary ways I try to model this behavior is by broadening conversations beyond work-related topics whenever possible (and appropriate). If we want to encourage individuals to bring their authentic selves to work, we must create space for personal conversations. This includes being vulnerable and open to hearing about your colleague’s personal joys, such as wedding anniversary plans or dreams for the future, in addition to providing opportunities in team meetings or informal gatherings to share and celebrate these occasions. I vividly remember a moment when I shared details about my husband and my wedding anniversary at work and thought to myself, this feels so normal and uplifting to share such an important milestone with my colleagues. This further reaffirmed my thinking about the importance of celebrating these personal aspects of our lives to strengthen connections in the workplace.

Related: How Language Could Be Sabotaging Your Diversity and Inclusion Efforts

Addressing workplace microaggressions

As we’ve seen over the past few years, diversity and inclusion have been hot workplace priorities, with many companies increasing attention to these initiatives. While this heightened focus is a great step towards fostering more inclusive workplaces, the journey can’t stop there.

Despite progress made, workplace microaggressions are still a big problem, with nearly one-third of LGBTQ+ employees reporting such experiences. Recognizing the impact of microaggressions, particularly on marginalized communities, is essential both from a personal and professional perspective; in fact, a recent study indicated that 50% of affected individuals would consider leaving their jobs. As leaders, it’s crucial to refrain from treating diversity and inclusion initiatives as checkboxes or objectives with end goals – but rather understand that this landscape will require consistent education and growth to reach true inclusivity.

Effectively addressing microaggressions requires proactive leadership and accountability. Organizations must provide education and awareness initiatives, such as training and workshops, to showcase to employees how to understand and prevent microaggressions. Kroger is an example of an organization that stands out for its commitment to its employees, in part demonstrated through its rigorous diversity and inclusion training programs. Recently, the company published a framework outlining its goals and focus areas for diversity and inclusion, which included diversity training for all employees and tailored programs based on organizational roles. This initiative fostered meaningful changes and helped to promote inclusivity throughout its workforce.

Organizational leaders must lead by example by actively listening and, when appropriate, intervening during uncomfortable situations to educate others. Additionally, it’s important to seek opportunities for personal education and take the time to learn from colleagues about how certain situations or statements make them feel. By doing so, leaders will have greater insights into how to be more empathetic and can better model appropriate and inclusive behavior.

While it may not always be possible (or comfortable) to directly address colleagues who use microaggressions, consider advocating for policies or reporting mechanisms that enable employees to address and report such incidents. Employee resource groups (ERGs), which are employee-led programs within organizations aimed to promote belonging and acceptance within the workforce, are also a great tool to educate and inform others; 91% of organizations with ERGs in place say they have helped to boost company culture. Consider advocating for or offering to lead such groups if they don’t already exist, as they serve as platforms for mutual support and learning.

Related: Inclusivity Begins During the Hiring Process. Here’s How to Do It.

Incorporate inclusivity into hiring practices

When assessing candidates for new positions, it’s easy to get stuck in familiar hiring patterns that primarily focus on educational degrees, professional experience and tangible skill sets. But, this should not, and cannot, be the only consideration.

Inclusive hiring extends beyond just hiring people from different backgrounds to meet DEI goals. The process involves reducing biases that have no direct impact on job performance to ensure candidates are all evaluated fairly. In order to do so effectively, organizations should consider taking steps such as removing names and backgrounds from the application process to focus on screening for skills or diversifying who participates in the interview process to avoid having homogenous panels. These steps not only allow for a fairer interview process but also can help companies achieve and maintain DEI goals.

Embracing diversity can help to foster innovation and creativity, while also attracting and retaining top talent. Having a diverse workforce helps to build connection and loyalty, both internally and externally. When you’re in a meeting and take the time to look around, it’s comforting to be around individuals from similar backgrounds or who’ve gone through similar experiences or challenges as you have. Whether it’s someone who grew up in your native country or from the same non-traditional background as you are, having a wide range of diverse individuals who make up the workforce can help employees feel a stronger sense of belonging.

While organizations have undoubtedly made notable strides in strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and initiatives in recent years, the journey is far from over. There is certainly still room for growth and improvement in creating workplaces that aren’t just welcoming but truly empowering for LGBTQ+ individuals — and it starts with leadership.

Over the last year, airline ticket costs have increased by 25%, significantly exceeding the pace of inflation increases (according to Simple Flying). Traveling has become more expensive than ever, which can be a real drag for those looking to take advantage of time off or retirees living on a fixed income.

Fortunately, there are ways to avoid paying premium prices on flights, and this Father’s Day, you can get a great deal on a leading flight alert service. Right now, a Dollar Flight Club Premium Plus+ Plan is just $69.99 for a lifetime subscription.

Dollar Flight Club has helped more than one million people worldwide find great deals on flights. CNN writes, “If you’re looking to book a weekend getaway, an international adventure, or just a flight to visit a loved one, Dollar Flight Club seems like a pretty easy way to save on your next plane ticket.”

Using Dollar Flight Club is easy. Just set up your preferred email address and your departure airport(s). Then, DFC will automatically scour the web to find the best deals from your airport to destinations all over the world.

It searches for the best economy, premium economy, and business class flight deals on international or domestic flights. When it finds something good, it sends an alert straight to your inbox with instructions on how to book.

Families have found roundtrip flights to Costa Rica for $197, Paris for $289, or even Japan for $455. Dad could truly save thousands.

Help Dad keep up his globetrotting dreams this Father’s Day.

Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to a Dollar Flight Club Premium Plus+ Plan for just $69.99 (reg. $507).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are well underway and the Finals are just around the corner — and though the Cup is a tradition that’s been around since 1892, advancing AI technology is creating new ways for fans to interact with the game.

Hockey enthusiasts packed the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, for a Western Conference Finals watch party this week, while the game was being played in Edmonton, Canada. The arena’s big screen played the live broadcast.

However, on the ice, fans at a watch party were treated to a live, play-by-play look of what was happening on the ice in a rink thousands of miles away in another country. Through AI technology, the players’ exact movements were replicated in real-time in the form of color-coded circles that were projected onto the ice. (In Game 4, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars in a 5-2 comeback).

Related: PNC Arena Bans New York Residents Buying NHL Playoff Tickets

Fans shared clips of the technology in use on social media to the awe of hockey fans around the world.

Ok. Absolutely impressed. @DallasStars fans watching right now at @AACenter treated to real time AI tracking of the game as it happens in Edmonton. On the jumbo, and on our home ice. Wow! pic.twitter.com/rD72jZWhWd

— Doug Dunbar (@cbs11doug) May 30, 2024

“That’s seriously cool,” one fan wrote.

“That’s amazing,” another said. “And very useful!”

Technology company SMT explained how the technology works in a follow-up post.

Related: Henrik Lundqvist Talks Retirement, Pivoting and New Podcast

“What you’re seeing is actually our SPRITES app projected on-ice,” the company wrote. “This comes from our puck- and player-tracking technology, known as NHL EDGE, which uses infrared technology and various cameras to track exact puck and player positions!”

Arena watch parties ? Puck and Player Tracking

Check out the energy in Dallas last night as our real-time PPT data is used to simulate the live game in Edmonton. Thanks to our SPRITES application, fans could see every player movement, pass and shot on-ice! ?#NHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/16Dz4ClAWR

— SMT (@SMTlive) May 30, 2024

The Stars’ official X account confirmed that the arena will bring back the new technology for Game 6, which is set to start at 8 p.m. Friday.

Sunday, the series shifts back to Edmonton for the final time for game 6, and the @BudLight Watch Party returns to @AACenter with real time player tracking projections on ice!

Join the fun for a $10 donation to @DS_Foundation ?️⤵️

— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 31, 2024

The technology could have limitless applications, affecting players looking to be scouted and teams looking to make big trades — watching precise movements in real-time in a technical manner could mean making analytical decisions cleaner with fewer distractions.

The Stanley Cup playoffs continue tonight with Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals set to take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The series is tied 2-2.

Actor, singer, and entrepreneur Selena Gomez isn’t selling her multi-billion dollar beauty brand any time soon.

Gomez clarified in an interview this week that she was not thinking about selling her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, or taking it public. The company is reportedly worth $2 billion.

“I don’t have any plans on that, genuinely,” Gomez told TIME.

Gomez mainly focuses on Rare Beauty’s product development and philanthropy, overseeing the Rare Impact Fund, which has raised $13 million since Gomez founded the company in 2020.

She told TIME that she will be working on products for Rare “for the next few years” and that she never wanted the company “to be about making a lot of money and that’s it.”

^{Selena Gomez. Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage}

Gomez’s remarks refute a March report that Rare Beauty was in private talks about a possible sale or IPO.

Related: Is Selena Gomez the Next Beauty Billionaire?

Rare is popular on social media and sells an array of $30 and under makeup, body care, and brushes.

A $23 liquid blush from the company went viral on TikTok in 2022 and brought in $70 million in revenue that year. The company’s bestsellers include tinted lip oil and matte lipstick, per a ranking on its site.

Rare reportedly hit more than $400 million in net sales from February 2023 to February 2024.

As inflation continues to plague consumer prices, not all retailers are feeling the effects of changing consumer behavior.

Thanks to a slew of unique items, from outdoor swing sets to fancy cuts of meat, and standard inventory that has stayed true to low prices, Costco posted earnings for fiscal Q3 2024 on Thursday with revenue reaching $57.39 billion, a stellar 9.1% year-over-year increase.

“It’s a very healthy environment from what we see from our members right now,” said Costco CEO and President Ron Vachris on a call with investors.

Vachis noted that Wagyu beef, a $1,200 swingset, and other new offerings like the infamous gold bars have been boding well with customers and driving revenue up.

“We can’t get enough, they’re just blowing out,” he said of the swingsets. “But it’s, again, that continuous innovation of merchandise that is exciting our members and really driving some sales for us there … people are engaging at a much higher level.”

Related: Woman Goes Viral for Returning Costco Couch After 2 Years

A report last month showed that Costco’s one-ounce, 24-karat gold bars that debuted in October 2023 generate an estimated $100 to $200 million for the warehouse chain every month. It’s another innovative item that members come to the chain for, and the viral product sells out during nearly every restock.

Membership fee income was also an area of growth for Costco in Q3, with a total income of $1.123 billion, an increase of $79 million or 7.6% year over year.

Costco EVP and CFO Gary Millerchip noted that though the chain has historically sought to increase the membership fee every five years (the last hike was seven years ago), Costco is in no rush to do so — there doesn’t seem to be a problem with membership renewal or initiation.

“We feel really good about membership renewal rates,” Millerchip said on the call. “We look at what’s happened in the marketplace over the last few years and when we were seeing high inflation and the risk and concern around recession … we’re still evaluating those considerations to determine what the right timing is and when we reach that point where we feel it is the right time, of course, we’ll be very open and direct and communicating that.”

And for those worried that inflation may be coming for Costco’s beloved $1.50 hot dog and soda combo — fear not.

Related: Exclusive $1900 Costco Item Is Flying Off Shelves

“To clear up some recent media speculation, I also want to confirm the $1.50 hotdog price is safe,” Millerchip said cheekily.

Costco was up 58% year over year as of Friday afternoon.

Every entrepreneur should be prepared to work on the go. Whether you travel a lot for business or you like to be productive while commuting on public transit, the right tools can help you reach peak efficiency. So, if you don’t have a tablet, now is an excellent time to get one because we’re offering a great deal during our Memorial Day sale. Through May 31, you can get a refurbished Apple iPad Air, Beats Flex headphones, and accessories for just $119.97.

This 2013 iPad Air model offers a beautiful 9.7″ Retina display and runs on an Apple A7 chip that allows you to effectively multitask when you’re in transit or just lounging around the office. It has 32GB of SSD and can connect to Wi-Fi to let you work online for up to ten hours on a single charge. You can take calls thanks to the 1.2MP FaceTime camera and dual microphones.

The Beats Flex headphones are 2020 models, built with convenience in mind. They have magnetic earbuds that automatically turn on when you put them in your ears and pause when you attach them and wrap them around your neck. They’re tangle-free and utilize Class 1 Bluetooth and an Apple W1 chip to work seamlessly with your iPad and deliver powerful dual-chamber acoustics.

Both items have received grade-A refurbished ratings, meaning they’re in like-new condition. Plus, you’ll also get a case, screen protector, stylus, charging block, and charging cable for your iPad.

Gear up for the remote working world this summer.

Now through 11:59 p.m. PT on May 31, you can get a refurbished Apple iPad Air, Beats Flex headphones, and accessories for just $119.97(reg. $159).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Diane Hoskins has co-led Gensler, the largest architectural firm in the world, for 20 years as co-CEO and co-global chair — but she would describe her career path as anything but predictable.

In a commencement speech at MIT’s School of Architecture and Planning on Thursday Hoskins told the graduating masters and doctoral students about her “off track” career. After graduating from the school in 1979 with a degree in architecture, she dabbled in several areas, from architecture to design to business to real estate — before circling back to architecture.

This “off-track” journey led her to become co-CEO of Gensler from 2005 to 2023 and the current global co-chair. She oversees Gensler’s global platform and day-to-day operations, with 6,000 people across 55 offices in more than 100 countries.

^{Diane Hoskins. Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg via Getty Images}

“There was probably no point in my career when someone would have said that I was on track or that I was on a predictable career path,” Hoskins said in the speech. “It was totally off track most of the time.”

Related: This Young Professional Left Her Job in Finance After Her Remote Side Hustle Took Off and Made $76,000

Hoskins first worked at a boutique architecture firm in New York after graduating from undergrad, in what should have been a “dream job.”

The problem was, she didn’t like it.

“I found myself unsatisfied and unfulfilled,” Hoskins said.

She moved back in with her parents and took a job at a department store perfume counter during the holiday season. A college classmate saw her working and told her about a big architectural firm that was hiring.

Hoskins applied and got the job.

Related: I Designed My Dream Home For Free With an AI Architect — Here’s How It Works

After subsequently working at architectural firms in Los Angeles and New York, Hoskins decided to transition into interior design. She later went to business school at UCLA, where she became interested in real estate. Hoskins worked at a real estate company for three years after getting her MBA, and then moved back into architecture and eventually joined Gensler.

“It was pretty high risk going from architecture to design to business to real estate and back to architecture,” Hoskins said.

She gained an advantage due to her self-described “unconventional, off-track” career: “I became an integrator of ideas,” Hoskins noted.

Hoskins said her experience let her see how design and architecture connect to the real world, and that’s the reason she ultimately became CEO of Gensler.

Related: This Former Tesla Employee Started a Side Hustle to Save Gen Z Time

Hoskins urged MIT graduates to “build a career of impact” over worrying about being “on track.”

In a massive security breach, Ticketmaster was allegedly hacked, and 560 million customers have reportedly been affected. It is not yet clear when the alleged crime occurred.

The hacking group ShinyHunters claims that they stole personal information including names, addresses, credit card numbers, and customer phone numbers — and the team is willing to sell the entire data set for $500,000.

Though Ticketmaster has not publicly addressed the hack, according to HackRead.com, ShinyHunters says they have attempted to contact Ticketmaster to get a response.

The breach mainly affected customers in Australia though Ticketmaster is based in Los Angeles. It’s estimated that Ticketmaster has an average of 113.6 million monthly average users globally.

“The Australian Government is aware of a cyber incident impacting Ticketmaster,” a spokesperson for the Australia Home Affairs Department told CBS News in a statement. “The National Office of Cyber Security is engaging with Ticketmaster to understand the incident.”

Related: Justice Department continues suit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia said that the FBI is offering to help the Australian government with the investigation, per CBS.

Last week, the U.S. Justice Department filed a federal lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation in the Southern District of New York accusing the company of illegally monopolizing the ticket vendor and entertainment industry and preventing fair competition.

Related: How a Ticket Reselling Side Hustle Brings in $30K a Month

This was, in part, brought on by the 2022 ticket fiasco during sales for Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” — public sales were suddenly canceled for certain shows, presale codes didn’t work, and technical difficulties and high wait times in the virtual waiting rooms plagued the experience.

In January 2023, Ticketmaster said the issue was scalper and bot-related.

Becoming an entrepreneur and creating a company that creates positive change is a dream that has driven ambitious people since the beginning of the modern economy.

But where do you start? How will you create a meaningful product or service that stands out amid the noise of today’s highly competitive and saturated marketplace? The traditional path of finding a niche and competing on quality or price is no longer enough.

Today, if you want truly enduring and evangelical customer loyalty, you must deliver an authentic product or service that resonates with customers on an emotional level. It is important to connect them to other people, making them sincerely feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. In short, you need to start a movement.

For hundreds of years, social movements have been catalysts for transformative, impactful and historic change.

Throughout history, they have served as catalysts for profound and transformative change. Dr. Martin Luther King marched on Washington with tens of thousands of supporters as part of the Civil Rights movement. Nelson Mandela’s raised fist upon being released from prison after 27 years became a powerful symbol in the movement that crushed apartheid in South Africa. The women’s suffrage movement fought for a century to get voting rights for women in America. Each one of those historic, world-changing movements was anchored in one unifying and all-encompassing force: purpose.

Related: Looking For A Business Idea? Start With Your Purpose

You may be thinking that those historic movements were important, but what does that have to do with business success? What does purpose have to do with business? Study after study shows that you can’t even think about starting a business in today’s economy unless it is driven by a clearly defined, tangible and unique purpose. In doing so, you and your team members will be much happier in the process, as supported by Harvard Business Review and other reporting.

Purpose is the equivalent of “why”? The “why” encompasses a company’s contributions and impact on the world. It is the company’s reason for existing and the reason they are in business in the first place. Purpose is an enabler, a conduit and a vehicle, fueling the innovation of the world’s economy. Blackrock’s CEO, Larry Fink, says, “Without a sense of purpose, no company, either public or private, can achieve its full potential.”

Some of the most successful companies have embraced this ethos and are fully rooted in purpose. When we look at Tesla, we may think its purpose is to sell cars, which is part of it. But its stated true purpose “is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.” That purpose is what drove the EV car revolution — a global movement that powered EV car sales from 0.4% of the light-duty vehicle marketplace in 2004 to 15.8% in 2023. And while it sparked the EV movement, Tesla continues to be its leader. In 2023, it held 19.9% of the global EV market and is the most valuable car company in the world.

The highly profitable clothing company Patagonia is another example of a company that started a movement based on its purpose. In 2022, the company, long known for its environmental activism, doubled down on its purpose, which is updated to “In business to save the planet.”

But it was more than just a statement. With its purpose well defined, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard announced the transfer of company ownership ($3 billion in global assets and $100 million in annual profits) to a trust fund, with its dividends going to environmental advocacy organizations. With this bold support of her own movement, Chouinard declared, “Earth is our only shareholder.”

In today’s purpose-driven economy, identifying that unifying purpose for your company — your north star — is the most critical aspect of starting any business or social enterprise. Purpose-driven companies make more money, have more engaged employees and more loyal customers and are even better at innovation and transformational change.

Consumers are increasingly supporting businesses that stand on principle. According to Accenture, 62% of consumers want companies to take a stand on important societal issues such as sustainability, transparency and fair employment practices. The demand for authentic and purpose-driven companies is strongest among the younger generations. According to Deloitte, “millennials are driving this societal trend, with 40% of those polled believing the goal of businesses should be to ‘improve society.'” Those who ignore the intersection of business and purpose do so at their own peril, as millennials (those aged 28-43) account for $15 trillion in global purchasing power.

Related: This CEO Says Prioritizing Purpose Over Profit Is Key to Consistent Growth and Sustainable Profit — Here’s Why.

As a powerhouse financial company, Deloitte is probably not the first company that comes to mind in thinking of a firm driven by purpose. Yet, it is a strong proponent of the belief that exceptional organizations are led by a purpose. To amplify and advance Deloitte’s purpose, it named its first-ever chief purpose officer and established a Purpose Office. Its goals are to consistently embed purpose in the organization’s strategy and deepen the impact and positive change they are making for clients, people, and communities.

Trust in a company has long-term benefits by creating brand loyalty and turning customers into advocates for your product. According to Edelman, “trust drives growth. When consumers trust a brand, they are more likely to purchase its products (59%) and stay loyal to and advocate for the brand (67%).”

A company’s purpose must start at the top. Whether it’s a small business run by a sole proprietor or a major corporation led by a CEO, the leader sets the tone and must lead by example. Employees need to see the commitment to purpose reflected in the actions of leadership; otherwise, the stated purpose becomes nothing more than a catchy slogan that fails to resonate with consumers.

Infusing purpose into your new venture is not merely a trend but a necessity to compete and thrive in the modern economy. To stand out, foster trust and create lasting connections with consumers — in other words, to build a movement — today’s companies and organizations need to find their purpose and adopt it fully until it permeates every part of their operation.

By defining and articulating your purpose, you are laying the groundwork to start a business and, perhaps, even a movement. If you do it right, both can build value and help change the world.

Taking breaks has long been (unfairly) associated with unproductivity, so much so that it can feel like a disadvantage in this fast-paced, highly competitive world.

However, seasoned entrepreneurs understand the importance of scheduling breaks, not only for physical and mental health care but also for business sustainability. Strategically scheduling them into a work calendar can be effective and make getting to the next phase more enjoyable. Here’s how.

1. Prevents burnout

Entrepreneurs are known for stretching themselves thin as they build their brands and businesses. This constant need to hustle comes from feeling the need to fill every moment of the day with something productive.

However, this round-the-clock working mentality usually leads to burnout, which can be difficult to bounce back from. Burnout causes problems for a person’s physical and mental health. Also, pushing too hard often leads to being unfulfilled no matter how much is accomplished.

Scheduling time for breaks goes hand-in-hand with setting boundaries. Without anyone overseeing your schedule or telling you when to start or stop working, it’s up to you to know your limits. Working in blocks of time with breaks for exercise, entertainment or even taking a quick nap are important parts of the day.

Related: How to Achieve A CEO Level of Focus by Breaking Habits and Taking Breaks

2. Gives fresh eyes to a problem

Entrepreneurs are known for multi-tasking, wearing all the business hats at once. This overstimulation can make solving relatively easy tasks more difficult than they need to be. It prevents being able to focus fully on one thing.

As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in a siloed vision of how things should be done. Sometimes stepping away from a problem can free up the mind to look at it with a fresh perspective.

Take time to collaborate with and gain inspiration from others, or focus on other activities and hobbies that aren’t associated with work. The time away, no matter how brief, can re-solidify the goal(s) you want to achieve and create a more straightforward path to it.

3. Improves your mood

Similar to burnout, working too many hours can lead to mood changes, which can affect both business and personal relationships. Whether in an email, meeting or other interaction, you may not realize how much being overworked can alter the course of your day-to-day life.

When you notice your patience stretched thin, take a break outside to enjoy the fresh air. Take a nature walk, read in a park or eat lunch al fresco — you may be surprised how much sunshine on your face can boost your mood and increase productivity versus staying holed up in your own office space.

Related: Use a Clinical Psychologist’s Break-Taking Brain Hacks to Be More Productive Than Ever

4. Makes you more disciplined

It may sound counterintuitive, but taking breaks can increase discipline and productivity. That’s because the time you’re scheduled to get things done is within a set time block.

Think about when you have eight hours to get a project done. Do you work on it the entire time or do you find your mind wandering to your emails, social media or the million other things that need to be attended to in life? Compared to when you cut that time in half without distraction, consider how much more you’re able to accomplish.

Figure out which blocks of time work better for you. For some, it may be two or three hours in the morning with a long break in the afternoon with more work blocks in the evening. For others, it may be shorter blocks throughout the day. The good news is it’s your schedule, so you set the parameters.

Making the most of downtime

Though there’s no “right” way to take a break, there are some helpful tips to keep in mind, especially if the idea of slowing down makes you feel uneasy.

Always keep in mind the point of taking a break is for the greater good of your health and business. When you’re constantly in a state of playing catchup, it can decrease your morale and make it harder to see just how well you’re doing.

Here are things to consider when planning your breaks:

• Vary times. Create at least one 15-minute break and one that’s at least 30 minutes or longer. The shorter break can be used to stretch your legs, make a snack or take a quick nap. The longer breaks can be used to catch up with a loved one, read a few chapters of a favorite book or exercise. Give yourself the benefit of a full break without checking emails or social media.
• Put them on your calendar. Book appointments with yourself. Add it as a calendar entry to rest, relax and recharge. Block the time as you look at each week’s planning so that when you get to your to-dos for the day, the breaks are already baked into your workflow.
• Schedule quarterly “retreats.” A relaxation retreat doesn’t have to be a costly endeavor. It simply means scheduling a day or at least part of one to do something enjoyable. For most entrepreneurs, one of the ultimate goals is to free up time for more fun in life, but it’s easy to get caught up in busy schedules without taking time to enjoy the fruits of your labor; make time for it.

Related: 3 Proven Strategies on Taking Breaks That Will Help You Become More Productive

Taking breaks has gotten a better rap over the past few years as people have begun to see the ramifications when they’re ignored. Consider them a business investment rather than a schedule setback. The more you find a balance between work and real life, the more the two will start to organically intertwine until you find your scheduling sweet spot.