Do you ever arrive at mid-afternoon on a work day, and feel like your brain has turned to jello?

Are there days when pushing through brain cramps is required? Of course. But if that is your daily default, you’re setting yourself up for trouble. Is there a legitimate time to stop during our work days? I’ve heard well-meaning leaders say “There’s no time to stop until the work is done.” News flash . . . the work will never be done.

So . . . when should we stop?

1. When the people who love you say “STOP!”

We aren’t always aware when we’ve reached our limit. Those who know us the best and love us the most often are. Listen to them when they encourage you to punch out for the day.

2. When you become irritable

Irritability has often been linked to immaturity. A lack of character development. And while that linkage is accurate at times, at other times irritability is simply a signal we’ve reached our capacity.

3. When the creative juices dry up

In our pedal-to-the-metal world, we’ve lost the concept of stopping points

Research tells us that for most of us, after eight work hours in a day, our productivity falls off a cliff. When you’re tired after a solid day of work, accept it as a God-given stop-signal. Give yourself permission to clock out.