PRODUCTIVE BREAKS

Adam T. Hurd
May 17
3 min read

THE SIMPLE NEWSLETTER - ISSUE # 020

Welcome to another edition of The Simple Newsletter! This is a space where I share ideas, insights, and lessons that I hope will spark inspiration for you. My goal is simple—to bring value to your day and perhaps guide you toward doing the things that matter most to you.

ADAM'S THOUGHT:

Earlier this year, my business partner Tom and I decided to take every Friday off. For Tom, it was a novel idea. For me, not so much—I’ve always been intentional about carving out a weekday for myself. The idea behind this was simple. We run our own company, so why not give ourselves the freedom to use the time for ourselves?

But here’s something I’ve learned about entrepreneurs and “time off.” For many, it doesn’t feel like time off at all. Why? Because successful entrepreneurs have already built personal care into their daily lives. Whether it’s prioritizing sleep, surrounding themselves with great people, or staying on top of fitness, they know these things are essential to showing up fully.

On one of these Fridays, I had a meeting with three other entrepreneurs. We’re working on a big real estate deal together, but our conversation wasn’t all business. We talked about lacrosse coaching, morning workouts, and even vet visits for pets before circling back to the deal. Then one of us said something that really resonated:

“We’re not really working because work isn’t work anymore. It’s just what we do to grow and improve.”

Isn’t that the truth? When your “work” aligns with who you are and who you want to become, you blur the line between productivity and joy.

If you’ve never tried setting aside a weekday for yourself, give it a shot. You might find it’s not about doing less but about doing the things that truly matter.

ADAM'S LESSON

You can accomplish anything you want. You really can. But to do so, you need two things: intention and expectation.

When you find even a little time opening up in your schedule, use it as an opportunity to move toward your goals. That weekend off or those few spare hours aren’t just for filling with smaller tasks. They’re a chance to invest in what you’ve always dreamed of doing.

And here’s the key. Inspiration doesn’t last forever, it’s perishable. If an incredible idea strikes and you push it off for “later,” the spark might fade before you get to it. That’s why acting on inspiration immediately—even in a small way—is so powerful. Think of your free time as an investment, which I like to call the "S&Me 500."

Here are my top three priorities for every day to help guide this investment of time and energy:

The ability for me to explore, discover, and create, as I wish.
To enjoy what I do, the things I have, and the people I spend time with.
Pursuing improvement of myself, my family, and others

Productivity doesn’t have to mean working at a desk. It could mean a round of golf, some extra sleep, a walk outside, a spa day, or yes... even a multimillion-dollar real-estate deal in Tennessee. What really matters is having the intention and expectation that this time will serve your goals.