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Stop Burning Out: How Rest can Transform your Work and Life

How can I get more work done with the limited hours I have at my disposal?


That is a common question I hear from my conversations with leaders, teachers, and generally everyone that I work with who wants to become better at what they do. The answer to that question may surprise you because the issue has less to do with your efficiency and more to do with the rest that will generate that efficiency .



The BEST Always REST

Rest is Preparation for Your BEST

If you want to be the best, you have to invest in rest. Every night before I go to bed, I make sure that my cell phone, watch, and AirPods are on the charger. The reason is simple. If they are not charged overnight, they will not make it through the next day. I will have to drop what I’m doing and waste precious time during the day charging my devices because they ran out of battery.


You are no different than your cell phone.

Just like your cell phone needs to be charged all night, you need to be charged all night to have a very productive day. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that you schedule yourself for 7 to 8 hours of rest per day on the nights preceding weekdays, and even more rest during the weekend. The world wants us to chase more. More work, more activities, and a jam packed weekend all lead to one thing, less rest. Less rest leads to less productivity and therefore less success.


Have you ever needed a vacation from a vacation?

Of course we have ended a vacation more exhausted and the reason why is pretty simple. We expended too much energy throughout the vacation, and after it was over, our bodies were needing rest to recuperate.





Will You Rest during your Break?

The purpose for breaks and weekends is rest. They are designed to give you time to recuperate your mind and your body. The ultimate goal of a break is to return to work refreshed and renewed so that you can tackle problems that your exhausted body and mind were unable to overcome.


3 Steps to the BEST Rest

  1. Schedule your Rest. We are creatures of habit, and we thrive by organized schedules. Make sure that you prioritize rest in your schedule just like you would prioritize an appointment for a meeting or an important event.

  2. Set alarms for your Rest. Utilize your cell phone to set three alarms: 1. wind down before bed, 2. bedtime, and 3. wake up time. Give your phone permission to give you the discipline to rest.

  3. Protect your Rest. Rest is usually the first thing you give up, but it is the most important thing that will guarantee your success. Do not let anything prevent you from getting your rest. If you get behind one day, make sure you get rest the next day.


The Best 'ALWAYS' Rest


The adage, 'the best never rest' is a complete lie. If you want to be at your best, invest in rest, and you will find yourself less stressed and more blessed. Conversely, the worst never rest and always find themselves stressed. Make rest your first priority and watch your success become a reality.




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