8 things highly successful people never do during their lunch break

Do you ever find yourself scrolling aimlessly through social media during your lunch break? Or perhaps hastily wolfing down a sandwich in front of your computer? 

If that sounds familiar, it may be time to reconsider your midday habits. Lunchtime should not just be about refueling your body; it’s the perfect time to reset your mind, get creative, and boost your productivity for the rest of the day.

The world’s most successful people understand this very well. They view lunch breaks not as an interruption, but as a tool for success. 

To that end, they have certain things they consciously avoid during their lunch breaks, so they make the most out of it. 

Ready to find out what they are? Let’s dive in!

1) They don’t eat at their desks

I’ll start with a pretty common scenario, one I’m sure we’ve all done at least once in our lives: desk dining. 

I mean, why not? It’s convenient, right? You take your sandwich out of your bag, unwrap it, and take a bite while swiveling in your chair. 

But as convenient as it is, desk dining is a no-no in the playbook of the successful. Why? 

Because the lunch break is an opportunity to step away from their work, to physically and mentally disconnect from the tasks at hand. 

Case in point: Richard Branson, the eccentric billionaire and founder of Virgin Group, uses his lunch break to connect with his team and sometimes do completely out-of-the-box stuff. 

For example, he might play a game of tennis or even kitesurf on his private island!

Now, while we can’t all take a quick kitesurfing break, we can surely step away from our workstations, can’t we?

2) They don’t work through lunch

The problem with eating at your desk is that you can easily slide into another nasty habit – working while eating. 

This absolutely blurs the line between work and break time, often leading to overworking and eventual burnout. 

Plus, stepping away from your workspace during lunch doesn’t just provide a mental break—it can also lead to healthier eating habits. 

Have you ever noticed that when you eat while working, you’re less aware of what and how much you’re eating? This mindless eating can lead to overconsumption and poor food choices.

So the next time it’s lunchtime, resist the urge to keep putting in the numbers on that spreadsheet. Step away from your desk. Find a peaceful spot, perhaps a park or a quiet café, and enjoy your meal without the distraction of work. 

I assure you, you’ll return to your tasks not just re-energized, but also with a renewed perspective. 

3) They don’t skip their lunch break

This is something I used to do when I was younger. When I had pressing deadlines and a long to-do list, I’d just skip lunch altogether. 

But if you look at the habits of highly successful people, you’ll notice they never skip their midday break. 

They know that the key to maintaining peak performance isn’t to work more, but to work smarter—and working smarter means taking breaks.

Steve Jobs, the legendary co-founder of Apple, was known for his relentless work ethic, but he also understood the value of a good break. 

During his lunchtime, he would often take walks, which he used as a tool for problem-solving and brainstorming sessions. 

This simple, regular break from his work environment helped him to think creatively and produce some of his best ideas.

4) They don’t use the time to catch up on personal errands

I get it – not all of us have personal assistants like celebrities do to pick up our dry cleaning or pay the bills or make calls for us. 

So when’s the most logical time to get all of those done? The lunch break, of course. 

The thing is, it’s not exactly a productivity-booster. More often than not, we come back from those errands feeling even more frazzled because we’re trying to get it all done! 

Here are a few things that successful people prefer to do during their lunch break instead:

• Networking: Many successful people use their lunchtime to network with colleagues, clients, or people in their industry. Bill Gates, for example, is known to have lunch meetings where he discusses ideas and forms strategic relationships.

• Learning: Successful individuals know that the quest for knowledge is never-ending. They use their lunch break to learn something new, be it through reading, listening to TED Talks, or even taking a quick online course.

• Exercise: Physical activity is a common lunch break routine among the successful. A midday workout, a walk, or even some stretching exercises can do wonders for productivity in the afternoon.

• Meditation: Many high achievers swear by the power of mindfulness. Taking a few minutes during lunch to meditate can help clear the mind, reduce stress, and improve focus.

Do you see the pattern? It’s all about personal and professional growth. 

The goal of your lunch break should be to return to work refreshed, with renewed energy and focus.  While personal errands are important, they often don’t contribute to this goal. 

5) They don’t stay plugged in

I’m willing to bet that the first thing you reach for once lunchtime rolls around is your phone. Then proceed to scroll through social media and see what you’ve missed. 

Not judging here, I’m guilty of this as well! 

However, highly successful people resist this urge. They understand the value of disconnecting, if only for a short while.

Take Mark Cuban, for example. The billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks puts his phone away during meals. 

What does he do instead? Focus on the people around him and engage in meaningful conversation.

Use your lunch break as an opportunity to unplug and recharge. Doing a digital detox, even briefly, can have a remarkable effect on your stress levels and overall mood. 

6) They don’t eat alone every day

Mark Cuban certainly sets a good example for lunch breaks, in that he spends it with other people. 

You see, in the busyness of modern work-life, eating alone can feel like a breath of fresh air. But there’s also great potential in sharing meals with others. 

Keith Ferrazzi, author of “Never Eat Alone,” explains that shared meals are a perfect opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from others. 

No wonder some of the most successful business deals and partnerships have been formed over a lunch table!

The key here is balance. You definitely can still enjoy eating by your lonesome, but don’t forget to have lunch dates with others, too. Variety is everything! 

7) They don’t splurge on extravagant meals

A common misconception is that successful people use their lunch breaks to dine at high-end restaurants, enjoying the most luxurious meals money can buy. 

While it’s true that they could afford such indulgences, in reality, many successful individuals opt for much simpler, more cost-effective lunch options.

Warren Buffet, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, is known for his frugal eating habits.  

Similarly, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is famous for his “two pizza rule” for meetings, emphasizing simplicity and frugality.

So why do these billionaires choose budget meals over extravagant dining experiences? There are a couple of reasons:

• Focus on health: Simple meals are often healthier. They provide the nutrition you need to stay energized and focused throughout the day.

• Time efficiency: High-end restaurant meals can often be time-consuming. Quick, simple meals allow more time for relaxation or productive activities during the break.

• Financial wisdom: Successful people understand the value of money and the importance of wise spending habits, even when it comes to meals.

So, opt for simple, healthy, cost-effective meals. Not only will your wallet thank you, but your body and mind will, too. 

And who knows? That lunchtime saving habit might just be the first step towards building your own fortune.

8) They don’t take excessively long lunch breaks

When you hear the phrase ‘long lunch break,’ it might conjure images of executives taking leisurely two-hour lunches at upscale restaurants. 

However, in reality, highly successful people value their time too much to spend it all on lunch. Instead, they prefer to keep their lunch breaks efficient and effective.

This doesn’t mean that your lunch break should be rushed or stressful. As I mentioned earlier, it should recharge you.

It’s about finding the right balance and understanding that a long lunch break doesn’t necessarily equate to a better one. 

A well-structured 30-minute to one-hour break can provide all the rest and rejuvenation you need, leaving you with more time to work towards your goals.

As all successful people know, time is one of our most precious resources—use it wisely, and success is bound to follow.

Final thoughts

There you have it—a peek into the lunchtime habits of the highly successful. They might seem like simple changes, but in practice, these habits can have a profound impact on your productivity, well-being, and overall success. 

Remember, it’s not about working harder, but working smarter. And that includes making the most of your lunch break!