Being More Productive by Taking More Rest
Do more. Work faster. Hustle, hustle, hustle." appears to be the motto of younger working generations. Working incredibly long hours, barely eating during the day, and having no time to do anything other than work appear to be badges of honor, indicating dedication and a "do whatever it takes" mentality.
Could slow down, working less, and taking time off lead to increased productivity and a more sustainable work lifestyle? As it turns out, the answer is a resounding yes.
"Wait, isn't 'rest' the polar opposite of 'work?'" you might wonder. How is it possible to be more productive by doing less?"
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, a researcher, and Silicon Valley consultant, wrote a book about the need to balance work and leisure and how the two genuinely create a crucial union. He says in it that relaxation is necessary for labor to function correctly. "Rest isn't an afterthought. It's a necessity. Work and relaxation go hand in hand. They're similar to different waves. Without the low, you can't have the high. He claims that "the better you are at relaxing, the better you will be at working."
It's time to hit the pause button. Learn about the advantages of doing less and how it helps you to be more productive.
Rest reduces symptoms of burnout
While it may seem self-evident, working nonstop with no end in sight is not only exhausting, but also hurts productivity, team morale, and employee well-being. Sure, there will be weeks during the year when you are busy, anxious, or weary, but don't be too busy for lengthy periods.
Irritability, low motivation, physical tiredness, inability to focus, and overpowering thoughts of doom and gloom about your career, team, and life are all indications of burnout at some time.
If you then think a lack of work-life balance—or in most cases—an extreme imbalance could cause burnout often, then you’re probably right.
So, how can you get things back in order and reclaim your control, clarity, and energy? The first step is to separate yourself from your job—you've been spending far too much time together and have begun to grate on each other's nerves.
Create this space by expressing your emotions of burnout to your boss and proposing a few options, such as re-delegating responsibilities to team members, taking time off, extending deadlines, and establishing work-life boundaries. Those irritating sensations of fear will vanish, and you're going to fill yourself with new energy.
Rest Is Productive
"Excellent work, particularly creative and original work, demands rest just as much as it needs time actively engaged in work," writes AI researcher and writer Max Frenzel. Our brains are busy consolidating memories and silently searching for solutions to difficulties we encounter when we sleep."
Spending more time resting and less time actively doing work improves creativity and problem-solving abilities and makes work time more efficient.
You're prioritizing your job by prioritizing relaxation (and yourself). Now read it one more time to make sure you could attach it to your mind. A well-rested mind and body will help you have more energy, focus and be ready to take on new challenges and duties. So, what's the result? Productivity!
Rest Leads To Clarity On The Big-Picture For Your Team
Consider the following scenario: you're on a lengthy bike ride when you arrive at a steep, long slope. The slope appears to go on forever, so all you have to do is keep your eyes on the ground in front of you and keep going until you reach the summit.
By the time you reach the top of the hill, you will probably feel tired, and you realize—to your sweating horror—that you've gone the wrong way. You start to think about what is in front of you and get so much pressure on the ascent.
"What's the point of hustling if you're heading in the wrong direction?" says Andrew Thomas, an entrepreneur, consultant, and keynote speaker. Too many people work persistently on a road that will not yield the desired results. It's like running on a treadmill—you get some exercise but don't get anywhere."
It's critical to schedule time to slow down, reflect on what's working and what isn't, and assess if you're still on the right track, no matter how big of a time stress a project is under or how critical an initiative is.
Every so often—mid-project, mid-year, or even mid-week—create moments of pause to ask yourself and your team questions like:
Are you spending energy on what matters?
Do you have the same goal as when you started?
Are our efforts working in getting us to that goal?
What's going well that you should be doing more?
What should you be doing differently?
Taking a rest is the opposite of being lazy; it could help you achieve more work since it helps you become more productive when doing tasks. If you would like to learn more advice for any self-development topics, you could also consult with us! Also, follow us at Instagram @baikgp and @ayureadypodcast for more information and extra insights!