PTO Taking Breaks: Why You Need More Than a Long Weekend

In the latest episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the real impact of not taking time off. Titled “PTO: Taking Breaks,” the episode is a candid, at times humorous, look at why stepping away from work is crucial, not just for employees, but for entrepreneurs, managers, and developers alike.

🛑 PTO Taking Breaks Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity

Rob admits he preaches taking time off but struggles to follow his own advice. Michael shares a cautionary tale about being the only person at his company who could handle a crisis, getting called during a literal mountain climb. The problem? No PTO plan. No backup. That kind of burnout is all too common.

“PTO isn’t just for employees—it’s for your mental health, your business, and your sanity.” – Michael Meloche

🧠 How PTO Taking Breaks Supports Mental Health

The hosts emphasize that burnout doesn’t just affect your energy—it also affects your relationships, productivity, and decision-making. Rob contrasts two work schedules: one that included long breaks and focused time blocks, and one that pushed him from 6 AM to 7 PM nonstop. The verdict? Without breaks, even high performers become less effective.

Callout: PTO taking breaks isn’t weakness—it’s smart business.

🚫 Three-Day Weekends Don’t Count

Rob issues a reality check: a three-day weekend isn’t enough to unwind. Friday is spent catching up, Saturday is spent stressing about Friday, and Sunday is spent worrying about Monday. Real rest comes after the decompression curve, typically on day four or five.

“A true break begins once your mind finally stops racing—and that takes time.” – Rob Broadhead

🛠️ Build Systems That Let You Step Away

Michael and Rob both highlight a key to long-term success: designing your role and your company so they can operate without you. If you can’t unplug without a disaster, the issue isn’t the workload—it’s the lack of systems and delegation.

Michael even references Tim Ferriss’ famous point: if you can’t remove yourself, you don’t have a business—you have a job with overhead.

🎯 Weekly Challenge: Define Your Ideal Work-Rest Rhythm

This week’s challenge is twofold:

1. Reflect on your most productive daily rhythm—Are you an early bird or a night owl? How can you schedule focused blocks that align with your energy?

2. Plan your next real PTO—at least 4–5 days, without email, Slack, or your laptop.

Challenge Callout: When was the last time you took more than four days off—without technology?

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Final Thought: PTO Taking Breaks Makes You Better

At the core of this episode is a simple but powerful idea: you cannot give your best when you’re running on empty. Whether you’re building a business, managing a team, or coding the next great app, you need downtime to do your best work.

So stop glorifying the grind. Take a break. Plan a vacation. Step away from the screen—and come back stronger.

📩 Keep Building Better

Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Do you have feedback or questions? Email the team at [email protected]—they’d love to hear from you!

Additional Resources

• When Coffee Hits the Fan: Developer Disaster Recovery
• Finding Balance: The Importance of Pausing and Pivoting in Tech
• Supercharge Your Focus and Productivity: Expert Tips for Success
• Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content