It is easy to get into a rut. That is, we can act the same way all the time - partly because of habit, partly because we believe that is the way we are supposed to behave. Changing your habits and changing your pace are what vacations are for. As the saying goes, they help you recharge your batteries.

Changing the tempo of your daily activities improves your productivity too. Getting up from your chair and moving around gets the blood flowing and will help you think better. It is also good for your health.

Pausing or resting for a few minutes during the day will help you refocus your thoughts. When you are rushed or in panic mode, you are likely to make bad decisions. It is better to think about what you do and weigh the alternatives rather than acting on your first thought to solve a problem.

There is more than one reason or advantage in getting away from your office to visit a supplier. The change of scenery will stimulate your thought processes and give you the opportunity to learn what others are doing in their business. If you are not learning from your suppliers you are not paying attention. Of course, the suppliers should learn from you too. You can give them information about how your business is run which will give them ideas to make them more efficient.

Even when you stay around your own organization you can benefit by moving away from your desk and visiting other employees in other departments. You will be able to learn more about your company, about how products are used, and about the problems that other departments have that may be solved by one of your suppliers.

Getting to know the employees throughout your organization will improve communication and may improve the status of the purchasing operation.