Does this title sound too good to be true? Or even ridiculous?
Unless you are a teenager, you might not agree that more rest will make you more productive. We have all have had our share of experiences in life and many of them prove that hard work pays off. Until, well, it doesn’t, and you experience BURNOUT.
Let’s unpack the word REST.
Oxford Languages defines rest as to cease work or movement to relax, sleep, or recover strength. The word I like most in this definition is recover, in terms of living a productive and significant life, we need to recover continuously to be able to give our best effort.
In comparison, the definition by Oxford Languages for laziness is the quality of being unwilling to work or use energy.
The difference between these two terms is therefore noticeably clear, when you rest you take breaks from continued hard work, where laziness is motivated by being unwilling to work at all. There is a big difference.
I just wanted to get that out of the way for those who might have thought I was talking about laziness … wink, wink.
If you would ask anyone who would like their hard work to count, they will agree that productivity is the gold standard if it comes to reaching our goals.
So what is productivity?
Well, in short, I would say that productivity is less input that results in more output.
Ironically, it is very seldom that this happens in our lives. It would rather seem that the more we do, the more we must do, and in the maze of all that we do, we seldom keep track of what effort reaps results and which does not.
It is at this point that I want to suggest how proper, healthy rest can move you productively forward.
The most powerful impact that rest brings to our lives is that it has the power to change or keep our perspective about life and all our responsibilities. Have you noticed how much easier you can solve a problem if you give yourself time to “sleep on it”?
Consider these advantages:
- If you just sleep enough, you will avoid: “cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, impaired mental capacity, and poor motor coordination.” (Source: www.diet-healthinfo.com)
- Setting a boundary between work time and rest time, will help you to permit yourself to stop now, and start again tomorrow.
- Well rested and clear thoughts help us out of survival mode and back towards finding the joy and advantages in the work we do.
- Rested minds avoid the “hamster on the wheel” mentality and when you sit down to work, you’ll make it count.
After all, is said and done, you will still have to choose between working incessantly until your body gives up, OR starting to manage your energy and recovery to live a productive, happy life.
I can write a whole blog on the different ways to rest, but for now, I would just like to leave this verse with you. I have found its message to be significantly true for me.
Matthew 11:28-30
The Message
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Written by Johanni Meiring
Thank you for reading! It’s a pleasure having you here!
Please spread the love by sharing this blog.
If you would like to find out more about Life Coaching with Johanni click HERE
If you want to read more blogs click HERE
Johanni Meiring 