Developing A Rest Ethic

Posted by Paul Andrew in Self-Leadership, The Leadership Coach™

If you’re anything like me you might find that working sometimes comes more naturally than resting does. If you’re not, then someone on your team probably needs you to read this so you can understand them better.

In high school I was such a gifted sleeper than my friends nicknamed me “sloth”. I’d roll out of bed at the crack of noon anytime I had the chance.

But over the years the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. In my quest for equipping leaders around the world I can often forget to rest. Add to that raising three young children and living in “the city that never sleeps” and rest could easily become a luxury item.

We prize a good “work ethic” but perhaps having a good “rest ethic” is just as important in the long run.

Here are four key reasons to rest, in case you (or someone around you) needs a reminder:

1. Capacity
Peak performance and taking care of yourself are inseparable. I start with this one because the person who works too hard generally needs a productivity benefit for changing their ways rather than just a philosophical reason.

Recent studies have shown that even during the day our mind and body continue to ebb and flow much like the circadian rhythm when we sleep. The simple truth is that you cannot output constantly at your peak performance level. In the end, the way to maximise your capacity is to give your best then rest, then do it again.

2. Creativity
Our best ideas often come when we’re not working, or even as we wake or fall asleep. Songwriters, designers and writers alike often get to a point where the only way to get fresh ideas for a project is to take a break from it and come back to it later.

Work, break, and re-engage with new creativity. No wonder our successors can frequently see solutions that we’ve become blind to because we didn’t step back from our work often enough to regain perspective.

3. Identity
You are more than your job. Yet I often find people unconsciously evaluate you based on your answer to, “So, what do you do?”. Insert a 30 second important sounding bio here. I love what I do for a living. But if the day comes where my whole identity is wrapped up in my work, then I’m in trouble… and so is my family.

I need to watch for the early warning signs that busyness is becoming a badge of honour. So on a flight home this week I redrew the boundaries of my life. What do I want my weeks to look like? What changes do I need to make?

4. Longevity
I’m no mechanic but I do know that it’s not good to run your car all the way to empty because of the junk it puts in your engine. Plus it’s harder to refuel when you don’t get to a petrol station before you run out. Your mind and body are like that. Sure, you can work until you drop, but it gets junk in your engine.

“The Hare And The Tortoise” is a children’s story but it could well be a life lesson for so many of us in business too. Life is a marathon, not a sprint, so factor in some rest and recreation so you’re still there at the finish line.

I’d love to hear your comments and feel free to use the links below to share this article with others.

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Tags: Focus, Getting Things Done, Leadership, Leadership Impact, Performance Coaching, Productivity, Self-Leadership, Time Management

10 Responses to “Developing A Rest Ethic”

AJ Adams

23. Oct, 2010

Paul,

Six years later I am still learning from your leadership.

I remember sitting in a team meeting and hearing the speaker (Jonathan Cask) that morning talk on rest. One line in particular resonates with me still to this day and I have made it a pervading theme of every area of my life: “Work from a place of rest, don’t rest from a place of work.” I interpreted this to mean that when I rest, I do so not simply to lounge around doing nothing. But rather, with the objective of engaging actively in activities that bring refreshment. Activities such as family bike rides, visiting a good friend, taking my daughter fishing, etc. I’ve found that joy and laughter are the best rejuvenators.
Paul Andrew

23. Oct, 2010

Thanks AJ – we’re all on a lifelong learning process hey.
Paul Andrew´s last [type] ..The Threshold Bite
Jo

23. Oct, 2010

This exact issue has been preying on my mind for some time: as a teacher and academic who is absolutely in love with what I do, I find I often go through phases where being awake and not working for more than a few hours makes me extremely nervous (I even take a notebook to church, not to take sermon notes, but in case I suddenly get hit with an inspired lesson plan or chapter idea). I think this one’s going up on my bulletin board, if only to remind me to take proper lunch breaks!

Thanks for the post, and for all the others- I particularly like the “stones in the drawer” one, was very affirming for someone who honestly believes every freshman who walks into my classroom is worth knowing, and has potential (including those others have written off).
Gail

25. Oct, 2010

I’ve also learnt that we need more than just rest. We also need to relax and rejuvenate.

The best way to do both of these is to HAVE SOME FUN!!! This does not mean that you can count things like catching up with housework or cleaning the pool as fun. It is only fun if it makes you laugh. This may be as simple as coffee with a funny friend or playing frisbee with kids but whatever you find fun – do it! It will make you feel better and think better. Even if you have to schedule it in – have some thought free, time unrestricted, lots of laughter fun – you’ll rest, sleep and work better for it!
Paul Andrew

26. Oct, 2010

Jo, great insight. I think it’s often the things we are most passionate about that are our greatest vulnerability when it comes to resting. Thanks for adding to the conversation
Paul Andrew

26. Oct, 2010

It’s ironic, but you’re exactly right- sometimes ‘scheduling fun’ is the only way to make sure it isn’t an optional extra!
Robert Stocks

26. Oct, 2010

Thanks Paul. This is really important stuff both in terms of individual sustainability and being able to thrive in both our professional and private lives. I have also enjoyed Dr Adam Frasers work about experiencing FLOW and how rest or “ease time” as he calls it, is a necessary and vital component to ensure we can maximize our opportunities to FLOW.

Finally – improvisation is a great way to have some fun and rest. Improvisation can take many forms such as singing in the shower or composing poetry stuck in traffic or even dancing as you walk down a country lane with your children. You can improvise anytime. I think improvising in the workplace is more of a challenge yet leadership requires the ability to improvise solutions…and there is certainly room to approach workplaces with more “fun” orientated initiatives. It only requires imagination and the courage to do things differently.
Gail

09. Nov, 2010

Absolutely! And after a few successful scheduled fun times it becomes easier to follow through on that “appointment” with fun
James Tonn

18. Apr, 2011

Mmmm, this resonates with me. My advice: take time for tea, enjoy weeknights, learn to single-task, and take lunch.