6 minute read
HOW TO GET THE
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.
MARK MARTINEZ
MARK MARTINEZ— LOAN OFFICER WITH FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA— HAS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS SINCE 2009.
“Walking people through the process and helping them to understand,” says Mark Martinez, a loan officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in Las Vegas, Nevada explaining why he loves what he does. “I do refinances, second homes, investments, but seeing that first-time homebuyer get into the home that they’ve been dreaming about for such a long time? It really puts a smile on my face and fills my heart.”
Mark has been in the business since 2009. After seeing his brother, a real estate agent in California, become successful, he decided to give the industry a chance. “I started as a loan officer’s assistant and quickly moved into operations,” he explains. “That’s where I spent the majority of my career. I started to originate on a team about two years ago and six months after that decided to venture on my own.”
Mark’s clients are glad he did. They appreciate his sincere and focused approach to achieving their individual goals, always keeping their best interest at the forefront. “I help a lot of people in the Hispanic community,” Mark says. “Getting to know them really puts them at ease. In my opinion, the Hispanic community has been underrepresented in the mortgage industry. The fact that the majority of documents are in English makes it crucial to explain and interpret everything for them. I take the time to get to know them, learn how much they understand about what they’re doing, and help them with the process.”
When it comes to marketing, Mark likes to utilize social media for his own personal brand-within-a-brand at Fairway. “I post about
my life on social media,” he says. “My slogan is Finance, Fitness, Fashion, and that’s what I post about.” He shares his life with his clients and sprinkles in information about rates and loans.
“What catches people on social media and through marketing is seeing somebody genuine,” Mark says. “I’m not telling them to come and shop with me, or that I’m the ultimate loan officer. They’ll experience that once they come and meet me. I just want my clients to know that I’m real.”
When he isn’t working hard for his clients, Mark stays busy. He takes part in NAHREP, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, and VAREP, the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. He also takes part in several LGBTQ alliances and networking groups for real estate professionals.
Though it’s been harder this year due to restrictions related to COVID-19, Mark loves to invest his time in his local community. In 2020, he became involved in a gift-giving event for seventy patients in a hospice. “Everybody got a full gift basket,” he says. “We had a truck full of gifts and filled up their conference room. The look on their faces made us all cry. Most of these people had not seen anyone in months due to COVID, and it was really special.” Looking to the future, Mark is excited to continue to expand his business. “My plan is to grow, work with my REALTOR® partners, and keep up with my current client base,” he says. All the same, Mark looks forward to continuing to give his gold-standard service to his clients while starting a family of his own. He says, “It’s time to rev the engine and keep moving forward, but I still want balance.”
To learn more about Mark Martinez, call his cell at 702-278-8234, his office at 702-793-2882, email mark.martinez@fairwaymc.com, or visit www.fairwayindependentmc.com/Mark-Martinez
