Rest Should Be Part of Our Workflow

A few weeks ago, I would have measured a successful day by how much I accomplished.

• Did I write the blog post?

• Record the podcast?

• Update my website?

• Create a new course?

• Finish my to-do list?

Like many people, I was conditioned to believe that productivity was measured by output. The more I did, the more successful the day must have been. Then life reminded me of something important.

After a recent injury, my body no longer allowed me to ignore its limits. Tasks that once seemed simple suddenly required effort. Activities I enjoyed had to wait. Rest was no longer optional. At first, that was frustrating. But somewhere in the middle of recovery, I realized something that I believe many of us need to hear: Rest should be part of our workflow -- not a reward ... not something we earn after exhaustion ... not something we squeeze in when everything else is finished -- but part of the workflow.

If we're honest, most people operate in a cycle that looks something like this:

• Work.

• Work harder.

• Push through.

• Ignore the warning signs.

• Crash.

• Recover.

• Repeat.

We celebrate exhaustion as if it were a badge of honor! We tell ourselves we'll rest when the project is done, when the kids are older, when life slows down, when retirement comes, when things settle down. Life, however, has a way of reminding us that our bodies, minds, and spirits were never designed to run on empty indefinitely.

The Question That Changed Everything

Recently, I began thinking about success differently.

Instead of asking: "How much did I get done today?"

I've started asking: "Did I end the day with more energy than I started with?"

At first glance, that may sound impossible. How can you end the day with more energy than you started with? But, energy isn't just physical -- it's emotional, mental, spiritual, and relational too.

• Sometimes we wake up exhausted and end the day encouraged.

• Sometimes we wake up overwhelmed and end the day with clarity.

• Sometimes we wake up discouraged and end the day with hope.

• Sometimes we wake up depleted and end the day feeling more connected to God, ourselves, and the people we love.

That is energy too.

What If Rest Was Strategic?

What if rest wasn't something that interrupted productivity?

What if rest actually improved productivity?

What if taking a walk, drinking water, getting enough sleep, taking a break, spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, sitting quietly, or simply pausing for a few minutes wasn't wasting time?

What if those things were helping us preserve the energy we need for the journey ahead?

• In nutrition coaching, we talk about recovery.

• In fitness, we talk about recovery.

• Athletes understand that muscles grow during recovery, not while they are being stressed.

Yet somehow, many of us try to live our entire lives without recovery. No wonder so many people are exhausted.

This Applies to Every Life Transition

Whether you are:

• Parenting a teenager

• Preparing a young adult for independence

• Caring for an aging parent

• Navigating grief and loss

• Building a business

• Recovering from an illness or injury

• Entering retirement

• Starting over after a major life change

The principle remains the same: Sustainable progress requires sustainable rhythms. You cannot continually spend more energy than you replenish. Eventually the bill comes due.

A New Definition of Success

Perhaps success isn't simply accomplishing more. Perhaps success is creating a rhythm that allows us to continue showing up tomorrow.

• A rhythm that leaves enough margin for the people we love.

• A rhythm that protects our health.

• A rhythm that honors the season we're in.

• A rhythm that allows us to thrive rather than merely survive.

Maybe the goal isn't to squeeze every drop of energy out of today. Maybe the goal is to finish today with enough energy, hope, peace, and purpose to embrace tomorrow.

That's the kind of life I'm learning to build.

• One step at a time.

• One rhythm at a time.

• One day at a time.

And perhaps that's a Life Strategy worth sharing.

Reflection Question:

What is one thing you could do this week to make rest part of your workflow instead of something you postpone until exhaustion forces it? (Please share it in the comments below.)

Wishing you faith, hope, and love on your journey,

Michelle