How to Rest - The Secret to Success |

How to Rest - The Secret to Success

These last couple of days I’ve been able to rest. And, wow, it feels amazing. After spending the past two weeks packing and unpacking and repacking and moving across the country and moving into a new space and touring the west coast, it’s safe to say I’m POOPED.

But I know that I have felt just this exhausted working multiple 50-to-60-hour weeks in a row. If you’re anything like me, you find great value and satisfaction in working hard and aiming for success in your job. And I know we have convinced ourselves that we will only find ultimate success by working more and more hours—pushing ourselves to the limits. The problem is that you can’t run at that pace forever AND rest is an essential part of being the most successful version of yourself.

So, how do you rest?

I feel like this has been a harder thing for me to figure out than accepting the fact that I need rest. My partner laughed at me when I told him I was writing a blog about how to rest. Because it’s extremely hard for me to do and to figure out. But here are three of my best suggestions as I too try and figure this out.

Take Small Breaks Throughout the Day.

It’s unrealistic to think we will always have days on end to take the amount of rest we probably need. (But you should absolutely make time to take a vacation. Don’t forget that’s also important.) So instead, take small breaks throughout your workday. According to Forbes, “Data shows that rest is as important for the mind as it is for the body. Neglecting it can lead to diminished returns.” Take a 15-minute walk outside. Practice daily meditation. Get up out of your desk and find a local coffee shop to walk/drive to for a coffee or tea break. There are lots of ways to take short 10-to-15-minute breaks throughout the day. These are important.

Reserve Time for Reflection.

Entrepreneur says, “Subconsciously, we even evaluate peoples’ worth based on how many hours they work or how “in demand” they are. We prize "busy" above all else. At a certain point, however, we have to make a choice: Do we want to be busy, or do we want to make an impact?” Breaking this down takes time. And most importantly we need to value ourselves more than our busyness. We will only have a chance to reflect on this in times of rest. Alone. For me, it is extremely difficult to be alone. I fill up my schedule with things and people at any chance I get. I need to SCHEDULE reflection and alone time in. But this is essential in creating healthy boundaries, being a creative individual, understanding yourself, and being the most successful version of yourself.

Delegate. Delegate. Delegate.

Surprise. You can’t do everything. Nor should you. Shocker, I know. For a long time I was very much under the subconscious belief that if I didn’t do it, it wouldn’t be done in the best way possible. But, “best” is fairly subjective. And, if you never delegate, you won't be able to get anything done. And with the ability to focus on the tasks that are the most important to you and your team, you and the company will become successful. This will also allow time to rest, which will in turn contribute to your overall success.

If you get anything from this week’s blog, please recognize the importance of rest and that you too can rest. Even if it’s just small amounts throughout the day. You are important. Rest is important. Only then will you begin to find success.

For more, check out these sources:

Entrepreneur’s Why Rest Is the Secret to Entrepreneurial Success

Forbes’s 10 Steps To Truly Take 'Time Off' As An Entrepreneur