6 minute read
HOW TO GET THE BIGGEST
from GEORGIA 2-8-21
How to Get the Biggest Recharge Out of Your Lunch Hour
When things get busy, it’s typical to find a grab-and-go lunch and keep plugging away on the tasks at hand. While some days demand this kind of hustle, your lunch hour can be a valuable window in which to recharge and set the tone for the latter half of your day. In fact, taking a mindful break at midday can create mental space for extended productivity and provide the morale boost necessary to take on a new task for the afternoon. But how do you maximize that hourlong reprieve amidst a busy schedule? Here are a few ideas for inspiration, no matter what your tastes or preferred habits may be.
GET MOVING Just ten minutes of light exercise can get your blood pumping and your energy renewed. Step outside and take a brisk walk around the block, or walk to your favorite sandwich shop instead of hopping in your car. Find ways to incorporate light exercise into your lunch hour routine and you’ll not only enjoy a chance to stretch your legs and get your eyes off of screens, but you’ll also reap the health and mood benefits of endorphins. Even extended stretching or mild calisthenics can provide rejuvenating relief in short order. PLAY CATCH UP Sometimes catching up with an old friend or family member can brighten your day and give you a morale-boosting outlet beyond the office. During your next lunch hour, why not combine a jaunt around the block with a call to catch up with your sibling or college buddy? Shifting your focus from work and centering instead on a comforting interpersonal relationship can really boost your mood and reinforce your personal values.
SOAK UP THE SUN If you’re tempted to eat your lunch at your desk while staring into the same computer screen that you’ve been working on for hours—think again. Sure, a busy schedule sometimes means making that sacrifice, but when your schedule and weather permits, try to take your lunch outside and disconnect from your office setting. Soak up the sun, feel the breeze, and lift your gaze to the horizon instead of toward your phone or computer screen. The mood-boosting benefits of time spent recharging outside are well-documented, and a change of scenery can give you the boost you need to power through your afternoon to-do list. CHANGE YOUR TUNE Use your lunch hour to treat your senses. As you eat or get active, try queuing up your favorite music or the latest episode of your favorite podcast. If you focus on the same tasks and stimuli for too long, your brain will fatigue and your focus will erode steadily over time. Shift gears and treat your mind to some music or stimulation outside of your daily tasks. You’ll help yourself relax, recharge, and create a natural transition point for your ensuing afternoon workflow.
Your lunch hour isn’t just about being purely functional. If you want to maintain a steady rate of productivity and leave the office satisfied by the progress of your day—use your lunch hour wisely. As important as it is to nourish your body, also consider nourishing your mind. No matter what your chosen outlet may be, don’t overlook the power of a well-spent lunch hour and the positive benefits that are sure to follow.
JAMIE PARKER
Top Agent Jamie Parker works solo as part of EXP Realty, servicing Gwinnett County, a community of suburbs northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, that includes Lawrenceville, Grayson, Loganville, Lilburn, Snellville, and others.
“I look at what I do as a marketplace ministry,” says Jamie Parker, an Icon Agent with EXP Realty, describing how he views his job as a REALTOR®. “I’m here to be a servant to my clients and to my community. We all want to make a good living, and I’ve been blessed to do so. But, at the end of the day, I’m here to help.”
After teaching music in public schools for seventeen years, Jamie decided it was time for a
change and earned his real estate license in 2007. “We were buying our third house, and I kept watching the real estate agent handling our transaction,” he explains. “I thought if he could do this, then I could do it too.”
Jamie services Gwinnett County, a community of suburbs northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. His area encompasses towns and cities such as Lawrenceville, Grayson, Loganville, Lilburn, Snellville, and others. Though he is a solo agent, Jamie still acts as a team player. “With the way we’re structured at EXP, I am part of a team. Just not a traditional one,” he says. “As newer agents come on, I help them out and feed them different leads when I can. We’re
working with an agent now to help her plan her roll-out in 2021.”
When asked what sets him apart as a REALTOR®, Jamie doesn’t hesitate to answer. “My work ethic,” he says. “I always return phone calls, emails, and texts in a timely fashion. That’s a big thing in this industry. I always respond to my clients’ needs, and I make myself very accessible.”
Something else that sets Jamie apart from his peers is his approach to marketing his listings. “The number one thing we do is to price the property correctly from the start. No amount of marketing can sell an overpriced listing,” he says. In fact, Jamie will not take on overpriced listings. He makes
a point of educating his sellers about the current market so that they are fully on board and understand his process. He also utilizes online postings and professional photography. Regardless of a property’s value, Jamie will spend the same amount of time, money, and effort to ensure his clients get what they want out of the deal.
With his view of real estate as a ministry, it’s little surprise that Jamie spends a good amount of time giving back to his community. “I am
the publisher of Brookwood Family Living Magazine,” he says. The publication goes out to over two thousand homes each month in Gwinnett County, and each issue highlights a different family in the community. It also features a different charity every month. “That’s part of how I give back,” says Jamie. “We use the platform of the magazine to strengthen this community.” Jamie also is an avid music lover. As a member of his church’s music ministry, it’s not uncommon to find him performing on stage at his church on Sunday. He writes his own music, and sometimes will spend hours playing on his baby grand piano. However, Jamie’s favorite thing to do is spend time with his family, especially his two teenaged children.
For more information about Jamie Parker, email jamie@rockinagent.com, call 404-483-7816, visit www.homesinbrookwood.com, www.rockinagent.com or www.zillow.com/profile/Jamie%20Parker
