I recently read an article in Fast Company that took a thought-provoking approach to time off.
Most people are familiar with the concept and importance of a work ethic. One source defines work ethic as,
“An attitude of determination and dedication toward one’s job. Those with a strong work ethic place a high value on their professional success. They exhibit moral principles that make them outstanding employees in any position. If you have a strong work ethic, you believe in the importance of your job and typically feel that hard work is essential to maintaining a strong character.”
Work ethic is deeply ingrained in many people’s view of professional performance, character and ultimately their value. However, the drive to consistently go above and beyond to prove ourselves often leads us to burn out and feel unsatisfied with our work-life balance. Too much focus on work ethic and not enough on rest ethic has numerous negative side effects.
The article introduces the concept of a rest ethic by comparing it to breathing:
“Think of your work ethic as the inhale (it is, in a way, as essential to your career as air is to your body). With a good work ethic, we make, execute, coordinate, manage, fulfill, and get things done. Task list – inhale. Project execution – inhale. Making our ideas come to life – inhale. But we can’t keep inhaling forever. Eventually we have to exhale. This exhale is your rest ethic, and it is just as essential.”
I found this visual description particularly enlightening. If we inhale breath after breath without the release of an exhale, eventually we will explode. Consistent and productive “exhales” can help us avoid such a consequence.
Outlined below are three takeaways about what a rest ethic is and how to cultivate one:
Rest is a skill that needs to be learned
According to the article, rest should not simply be a result of free time. Rather, it should be something we schedule and protect. We should create time and space for resting the same way we create time and space for an important meeting. Rest is most beneficial when we’ve made it possible to maximize our time, rather than rushing, delaying or squeezing it in when we have a spare 15 minutes. Rest should be viewed as an activity all its own, rather than an activity we do in order to keep working.
Resting also takes practice. If we haven’t been in the habit of “exhaling,” then doing so can feel tedious, stressful or unproductive. This is also why it’s good to ensure that rest is active. Some may think of rest as idle or sedentary, when resting can include an array of activities. The article states that “good rest requires full detachment from work and our often frantic and anxious mind.” Whether that’s completing a puzzle, planting a garden, cooking in the kitchen or rock climbing, rest is best when it requires our full attention.
Introspection is key
Use your time off to check in with yourself. Often, we navigate our professional lives without realizing how busy and anxious we are, and it’s not until we take a step back that we see it. When we take time to reflect, we can take action to reset and find solutions. A few ways to reflect as outlined in the article are:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Ask yourself: “What (or who) gives me the most sense of meaning in my life?”
- Ask yourself: “Am I giving the things I care about most the time they deserve?”
It’s also a good practice to balance self-reflection with light-hearted fun, as introspection can sometimes be emotionally taxing.
Try a ‘tech shabbat’
Inspired by Tiffany Shlain, author of 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week, a “tech shabbat” is switching off all screens and connected devices for 24 hours. Shlain recommends doing this on a weekly basis. While it may seem daunting, a digital detox can be a perfect way to recharge and create distance between us and work, especially when so many of us are working and living under the same roof. If a full 24 hours seems like too much, a good first step is to try disconnecting for an afternoon or morning.
Perhaps the next Saturday hike you take, you’ll leave your phone at home and instead print your maps beforehand and truly connect with the world around you. Or instead of catching up on a show on Sunday, you’ll print out that new recipe you’ve been wanting to try and get your hands dirty in the kitchen.
However you choose to exhale, I hope it helps you feel refreshed and balanced against your work ethic.